By Alric Lindsay
42-year-old Miguel Andrew Wright, a man who abducted his girlfriend and brutally punched her until she became unconscious, was sentenced to 16 months in prison today, January 7, 2025. His time served to date will be deducted from the sentence.
Background
Outlining Wright’s background, Justice Richards noted from the summary of facts presented by the prosecution that Wright migrated from Jamaica to the Cayman Islands in 2021 to get a job in the construction industry.
At the time of the incident, Wright was in an intimate 3-year relationship with the woman. They were also living together.
Concerning the incident, it was reportedly customary for Wright to drop the woman at her workplace in East End and pick her up when she was done around 10 pm.
On August 4, 2024, Wright arrived at her workplace, but she was not ready. Wright, therefore, went to a nearby restaurant to use the wifi.
Reportedly, the woman left work at 10:30 pm and went to Wright’s car, but he was not there. After calling him and receiving no answer, she walked to the main road in East End. At some stage, she learned that Wright was at a nearby restaurant.
When the woman arrived at the restaurant, she saw Wright drinking alcohol. At this point, she turned around and walked away.
Reportedly, while walking along the main road, she heard Wright shouting her name. However, she ignored him.
Eventually, Wright jumped out of his vehicle and punched her in the face.
Based on her reported statement, Wright “punched her until she passed out.”
When she regained consciousness, she shouted for help; however, no one answered her call. Wright then took away her phone and drove the car away.
During the car drive, Wright continued to punch her in the face.
Reportedly, Wright told the woman he was going to drive the car into the sea and kill them both.
Subsequently, he choked her to the point where she thought she was going to die. At this point, Wright reportedly said that he was going to crash the car and kill them.
When they reached the Savannah area, she told him that she wanted to use the bathroom so that she could get an opportunity to escape.
When Wright stopped the car, the woman ran away. However, no one assisted her.
Wright grabbed her by her blouse, pulled her into the car and started punching her in the face.
On reaching the Linford Pierson Highway, Wright reportedly calmed down and returned her phone, telling her she could call the police if she wanted.
Wright drove the woman to the George Town police station, where she made a report.
It was noted that she had injuries to her face and swelling.
Wright was arrested on August 5, 2024. He admitted the offences but denied punching the woman. Instead, he reportedly slapped her with the back of his hand because she was screaming.
Sentencing
In the Grand Court, Wright faced sentencing for abduction under section 220 of the Penal Code. This states:
Punishment for kidnapping and abduction
220. A person who kidnaps or abducts any person commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
Accordingly, Justice Richards noted that the maximum sentence was life imprisonment.
However, Justice Richards pointed out that there were no sentencing guidelines for abduction in the Cayman Islands and referred to case law noted by the prosecution and defence counsels.
It was highlighted that such cases pointed to higher sentences of around 8 years where there was a carefully planned abduction. However, sentences were in the range of 18 months for incidents that were not planned.
Justice Richards noted that the prosecution and defence counsels agreed that the abduction was not planned in this case, and accordingly, a lower sentence would apply.
In the circumstances, Justice Richards laid out the abduction sentence as follows:
| Description | Sentence |
| Starting point | 48 months |
| Less mitigating factors (Wright showed remorse, he has no previous convictions and is of good character) Sentence | – 24 months |
| Less reduction for early guilty plea | – one-third of the sentence |
| Total | 16 months |
For the assault, Justice Richards sent out the sentence as follows:
| Description | Sentence |
| Starting point | 12 months |
| Less mitigating factors | -4 months |
| Less reduction for an early guilty plea | – one-third of the sentence |
| Total | 5 months |
For causing fear or provocation of violence, Justice Richards outlined the sentence as follows:
| Description | Sentence |
| Staring point | 24 months |
| Less mitigating factors | -8 months |
| Less reduction for an early guilty plea | – one-third of the sentence |
| Total | 11 months |
Justice Richards noted that the offences were a part of the same series of incidents and were done against the same victim. Accordingly, she ordered the sentences to run simultaneously rather than one after the other.
Judge refuses woman’s plea
Notwithstanding the seriousness of the crimes, Justice Richards noted that, according to the victim impact report, the woman said that Wright apologized to her and promised never to do anything like this again.
The woman also noted that they reconciled and that she regularly visits the prison and continues supporting him.
Reportedly, the woman emphasized that Wright is a father figure for her son, and she depends on him because he earns more than her.
She added that she believes Wright learned his lesson and requested that he not be imprisoned.
Notwithstanding the woman’s plea, Justice Richards noted that the Grand Court could not grant her request.
