"Child abuse is an extremely difficult demeanour to detect and act on but this doesn't mean that it cannot be dealt with. The whole world needs to face the fact that child abuse is abhorrent, debilitating and devastatingly destructive. I have no doubt that you, Your Honour, are acutely aware of the helpless situation that Garth Gilmore has experience throughout his young life and that you will apply your wisdom to finding an appropriate long-term rehabilitation program that will allow him to become a normal person, something that he has never been given the opportunity to experience."
The judge turned to me.
"Garth Gilmore, will you please stand." he said. "My assessors and I have studied the evidence presented to us and we agree with the State prosecutor that child abuse should not be used as an excuse for criminal behaviour. We have also taken into consideration that you have pleaded guilty to the crimes that you committed. I therefore sentence you to seven years in a minimum security penitentiary where you are to undergo regular psychiatric counselling and instruction in a suitable trade so that you are able to rejoin society as a normal citizen."
Before being taken to the holding cells below the courtroom my attorney, Paul Greave, spoke to me about my sentence.
“Although seven years is a long time, bear in mind that in Namibian law, you are eligible for parole after you have served a third of your sentence.” he said. “This means that if you continue on the course that you’re now following and don’t regress, it’s very possible that you will be granted parole in less than two years. Remember also, that the two years that you spent in the Withaven Child Detention Centre have been deducted from your sentence. So, in effect, your sentence is five years and not seven, which means that you will be able to apply for parole after eighteen months.”
***
As I had no family or other relatives, Cindy was allowed to visit me in the holding cells below the court. We sat in a cubicle with a thick sheet of glass between us.
"I'll wait for you, Garth." she said, smiling at me sadly. "Seven years may seem like a long time but I love you so much that I'll wait for you forever if I have to."
"It’s very possible that I’ll be able to apply for parole within two years, Cindy." I said. "But don’t wait for me. Although I’ve come to realise how much I love you, life goes on and you must go with it. You're young and you have your whole life ahead of you. I’ll always love you and I'll think you always as the most wonderful and dear person in my life."
"No, Garth." Cindy said. "I will never let you go. The bond between us is far too strong to break. I’ll treat each day as one day less before we're together again. And each day that passes will see my love for you grow even stronger."
The warder cleared his throat to indicate that our time was up.
We stood up and Cindy placed the palm of her hand on the glass.
"I love you, Garth." she said.
"I love you, Cindy." I said as I placed the palm of my hand over hers.
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Also by Oliver T. Spedding
Keep it Simple Golf
Keep it Simple Golf - The Basics
Keep it Simple Golf - Transferring the Weight
Keep it Simple Golf - The Bunker Shot
Keep it Simple Golf - Putting
Keep it Simple Golf - The Shank
Keep it Simple Golf - Playing a Fade or a Draw
Keep It Simple Golf - Constructive Practice
Keep It Simple Golf - Course Management
Keep It Simple Golf - Course Management (2)
Keep it Simple Golf - Chipping
Standalone
Wild Animals and Birds of South Africa
Religion and Life After Death
Phoenix Resurrected
Keep It Simple Golf - Stretching Exercises for Increased Distance
Changing Thought
Encouragement
History According to the Bruva
About the Author
I'm a freelance writer and book illustrator
Phoenix Resurrected Page 25
