By Racquel Porter
Matthew Hyde, the University student who burned and tortured his ex girlfriend on the Mona Campus of the UWI last year, has been diagnosed with persistent depressive and borderline personality disorder.
This was revealed during his part-heard sentencing hearing in the Home Circuit Court yesterday.
The hearing is scheduled to continue on December 9, with the prosecution responding to authorities cited by Matthew Hyde's attorney Patrick Peterkin.
In his over one hour and 30 minutes mitigation, Matthew Hyde's attorney Patrick Peterkin submitted to Justice Carolyn Tie Powell that the 21 year-old bio-chemistry student has been suffering from psychiatric challenges since he was a child.
Mr Peterkin said Hyde experienced abuse while living with his mother.
Noting that there was a dispute in the Family Court, Mr Peterkin said Hyde later moved and lived with his father.
It was at this point that Hyde, clad in a khaki shirt and black pants, removed his glasses and held his head back.
Citing excerpts from the social inquiry report and the psychiatric evaluation report, Mr Peterkin urged Justice Tie Powell to take into consideration records of abuse, history of childhood trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit disorder and Hyde's guilty plea.
Mr Peterkin said his client was first seen by a therapist in his early childhood, for behavioural challenges.
He said Hyde was diagnosed with depression around age 15 and was prescribed anti-depressants.
Mr Peterkin said a year later Hyde was admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies after an overdose on medication.
As he continued to paint a picture of a young man who is not beyond redemption, Mr Peterkin said his client's risk of imminent violence is considered low.
He explained that Hyde saw some information in a phone February last year, which caused him to go overboard but that he has since shown remorse.
Mr Peterkin said Hyde's family will continue to do their best to assist and support him.
Hyde's attorney has proposed he be given a sentence of no more than four years.
But earlier in his mitigation, Mr. Peterkin told the court that any sentence imposed on his client should fall within the time he has been in custody.
Mr Peterkin requested a 50 per cent discount in sentencing for time spent in custody.
Hyde has been in custody since February 2023.
He pleaded guilty on September 26 to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, use of malicious communication, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and false imprisonment.
Hyde held his ex-girlfriend captive for three days in his room at the George Alleyne Hall, where he allegedly tortured her with a hot clothing iron and other implements.
She was reportedly discovered some time after 10 p.m., on February 9 last year.
Civil suit
Meanwhile, a civil case is looming against Matthew Hyde.
The complainant's attorney, Abika Gordon, told Radio Jamaica News, following yesterday's hearing, that he's preparing documents to file the lawsuit.
Mr Gordon said the complainant is seeking damages for mental and physical injuries.
The complainant, who is represented by attorney, suffered iron burns to the face and various parts of her body.
Hyde's attorney, Patrick Peterkin, informed the court that his client is minded to compensate the complainant but was unable to disclose what the sum would be.
Hyde's father, who was also in court, described the incident as "unfortunate."
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