Former hospital worker gets 6 months for beating customer, victim still affected

Kindel Vanterpool, the former hospital worker who “lost it” and beat a customer at the facility more than two years ago has been sentenced to six months at Her Majesty’s Prison for the offence.

Magistrate Shawn Innocent also handed the 34-year-old offender an additional six-month suspended sentence for the assault. That sentence was suspended for 12 months and means Vanterpool will only spend that additional six months behind bars if he commits another offence within one year of being released from prison.

In handing down the sentence on Friday, Magistrate Shawn Innocent described the incident as a ‘brutal attack’ that “must attract a custodial sentence”.

“This doesn’t sit well with me and it is sending the wrong message if we just let him walk off. He literally lost it,” the magistrate said.

The magistrate said the offence was aggravated by the degree of harm done to the victim and the fact that the assault took place in a hospital where people seek medical wellness.

Magistrate Innocent, however, said a mitigating factor for Vanterpool was that he pleaded guilty and had no previous run-ins with the law.

Prosecutors say the female sustained serious eye injuries and is still undergoing some level of treatment as a result of the 2016 assault. Prosecutors further told the court that the woman is now required to wear eyeglasses because of the injuries sustained.

The issue of compensation for the victim arose during Vanterpool’s sentencing hearing. However, the court did not consider it because it was submitted too late.

What happened?

The court heard that on November 4, 2016, the Jamaican woman was visiting Peebles Hospital to collect medication from the pharmacy where Vanterpool worked as a cashier.

However, after waiting for a period of time, the female reportedly quizzed, insulted, and berated Vanterpool while complaining about the lengthy wait.

The court heard that Vanterpool left his station and had a heated exchange with the woman. Their verbal altercation escalated and Vanterpool punched the female about her face and shoulders, the court heard.

It is reported that onlookers had to physically restrain Vanterpool and end the assault.

The female subsequently had to seek medical attention. The matter was then reported to the police and Vanterpool was arrested, charged. He had been on bail since the attack.