Killer's 'no-show' outrages judge

A prisoner serving a life sentence for premeditated murder refused to appear at the monthly Arraignments Session this morning.

Derek Spalding, 37, was due to appear on video-link in Supreme Court today to set a date when the minimum term he must serve before he can be considered for release was to be reviewed.

The minimum term Spalding must serve before he is considered for parole was set at 38 years when he was initially sentenced.

But the Privy Council recently ruled that the maximum term a defendant could serve before eligibility for release on licence is 25 years for premeditated murder.

So it would appear Spalding is entitled to a reduction in his minimum term, although he is still subject to a life sentence.

Spalding was jailed for life last year after being found guilty of murdering Shaki Crockwell back in 2007. He wasn’t charged with the murder until 2011.

Last month his appeal against his conviction was thrown out by the Court of Appeal.

He was due to appear at Arraignments this morning to have a new sentencing date fixed, but refused to appear on the video-link.

This outraged Mr Greaves who said to prison officers: “You run the prison. Prisoners are supposed to obey your orders.

“You don’t obey, you have means to make them obey. If he won’t walk, carry him.

“I can’t stand it when the rule is ruler. That’s why nobody messes with me in my own court.”

Lawyer Charles Richardson stood up and told the court Spalding had said at his appeal hearing that he did not want his sentence to be changed.

“He isn’t a man who had outstanding criminal matters. He has a right to waive appeal,” said Mr Richardson.

But Mr Greaves said it was “nonsense” and said Spalding will be produced at the next court hearing in January.