BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, May 19, CMC -A High Court judge has sentenced a man to jail for two years after he admitted harbouring a convicted murderer who had been on the run.
Kevin Jason Omar Gabriel pleaded guilty to knowingly assisted Scott Harewood, misleading police and providing a place of abode for Harewood, with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution on July 11, 2014.
The court heard that Harewood had been found hiding in the ceiling of Gabriel’s house
Justice Laurie-Anne Smith-Bovell, who said that six years was an appropriate starting point for sentencing, noted that by his own admission, Gabriel knew the fugitive was wanted for murder and had assisted Harewood over a period of time and appeared to have received payment for harbouring him, and lied to police when they first came to his residence.
His five previous convictions for drugs and theft were also found to be aggravating, but no further adjustment was made.
Two years were deducted for his guilty plea and another two for the delay in the matter reaching the court. He had spent no time on remand and was sentenced to serve two years.
In his written statement, Gabriel said that Harewood came to his house, saying he had been sent there to ‘hold out’ and that “I know that Ratty was wanted by the police for murder.
“He told me so, and I heard the talk on the streets. I was doing a favour for him. The police came by me last Friday and I tell Ratty them outside and he hide and still get hold.
I was brought to Oistins Police Station and I knew he was telling police lies when he gave them the wrong name and address. I am sorry that I help Ratty hide out from the police at my home.”
CMC/ag/ir/2026