A commissioned officer in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), who tearfully apologised for her actions which landed her before a court martial, will learn her fate on Friday when a six-member tribunal determines her sentencing on charges of misconduct in public office.

During Thursday’s sentencing submissions, Major Neville Watson of the prosecution team recommended that Sub-Lieutenant Nakeida Gibson, 37, be dismissed for serious breaches of military discipline. However, defence attorney, Larry Smith SC, argued that the officer with 15 years of service deserved a second chance to continue her otherwise unblemished career and to be rehabilitated.

The charges against the Staff Officer Logistics and Quartermaster for Stores stemmed from an incident at her Christ Church home on July 10, during which she breached the BDF’s fraternisation policy, by engaging in a personal relationship with a person of a junior rank, and she mishandled a service weapon. She pleaded guilty to conduct and neglect prejudicial to good order and military discipline, as well as to wilful misconduct and wilful neglect in public office.

In a remorseful statement before the court martial on Thursday, a tearful Sub-Lt Gibson expressed regret for her actions.

“I am truly and completely sorry for my actions,” she said, dressed in her white Barbados Coast Guard uniform and with her hat firmly pulled down to just above eye level. “It ate me out.”

Describing her actions as uncharacteristic, the officer said she was disappointed in herself and wanted to “say sorry to everybody…. It’s not a good feeling”.

She pleaded with the tribunal to consider her welfare when deciding her sentence, noting that while she was aware of the laws and military procedures, a balance should be struck between upholding the rules and rehabilitation.

Several character witnesses, including her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Derrick Brathwaite, and Ambassador Aquinas Clarke, a former BDF deputy chief of staff, spoke highly of the convicted officer. They described the incident as a first-time “mistake” that was out of character for a dedicated and valuable member of the armed forces. They, along with her mother, Sandra Norris, urged the court to allow her to continue serving, asserting that her actions did not reflect her overall contribution to the BDF.

The prosecution maintained that the military’s core foundation is discipline and that despite her early guilty plea reducing the severity of the charges, dismissal was warranted given the nature of the offences.

The court martial heard that Sub-Lt Gibson negligently handled her service weapon, a semi-automatic Glock 19 pistol, causing it to discharge in the presence of others. Further misconduct occurred when she replaced a round of ammunition after the gun discharged and failed to report the incident, actions which amounted to abuse of public trust.

Prosecutors revealed that Sub-Lt Gibson had invited Rasheda Holder, the girlfriend of an unnamed male petty officer, to her home while the petty officer was present and in a “compromising position”. She provided Holder with directions on how to enter the master bedroom, where she was found with the petty officer. In an ensuing incident, the handgun was fired.

Sub-Lt Gibson said the weapon misfired as she attempted to clear it, and admitted that her finger was on the trigger when it was fired. A qualified armourer determined that the weapon was working properly and in good condition, with no apparent cause for a misfire.

The investigation revealed that contrary to standard operating procedures, no incident reports were submitted to the headquarters of the Barbados Defence Force by the military personnel involved. In her statement, the sub-lieutenant acknowledged her responsibility for the incident. She also admitted that she intended not to report the matter and to replace the expended round of ammunition without authorisation.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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