Shortwood Teachers’ College Principal Dr Christopher Clarke was yesterday ordered to pay $2 million or serve 12 months behind bars when he appeared in the St Catherine Circuit Court.

His driver’s licence was also suspended for 12 months.

If he fails to pay the $2-million fine within the next two weeks, this will result in him serving time in prison.

Clarke was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving on February 20, arising from a March 16, 2014 crash that claimed the life of Yvonne Brown on the Old Harbour main road in St Catherine.

Brown was a pillion passenger on a motorcycle which collided with the motor vehicle Clarke was driving.

Prior to handing down the sentence, Justice Vinnette Allen-Graham said that the evidence was overwhelming and that she had taken into account yesterday’s character witness and the other two who spoke during the trial.

At the same time, the judge said that the social inquiry report was a favourable one and that she listened carefully to the submission made by Queen’s Counsel K D Knight.

Knight, during his successful, 55-minute mitigation, said his client had overtaken in an area where it was lawful and that he shows no propensity for breaking the law.

Knight went on to say that Clarke’s breathalyser test revealed that there was no sign of alcohol in his system at the time of the incident.

Earlier, Family Life Ministries’ chief executive officer and eminent psychologist Dr Barrington Davidson testified that days after the incident, Clarke, whom he had known for more than 13 years, visited him for counselling.

When Attorney Anthony Williams, who also represented Clarke, asked Davidson the purpose of the visit, he said the principal was extremely depressed by the fact that he was involved in a motor vehicle crash in which someone lost their life.

Clarke, who was in a sombre mood yesterday, got emotional during Davidson’s response.

Davidson also testified that several tests were carried out to assess Clarke’s personality. The psychologist disclosed that Clarke suffered from anxiety disorder.

This disorder, he said, was as a result of the accident.

“What recommendation, as a psychologist having regard to Clarke and various tests, what would you recommend?” Williams asked.

Davidson, who was quick to point out that a custodial sentence would be a major loss to the society due to Clarke’s contributions, suggested a very high fine and probation with community service.

Clarke’s supporters, some of whom clapped after hearing the sentence but were quickly told by officers of the court that their expressions were prohibited, were clearly pleased.

“To God be the glory. Much prayers have been going up for him because it is an unfortunate situation,” Daphne Clayton told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

Clayton, while noting that her church brother’s self-esteem has been crushed since the incident, said no one will ever understand the depth of his feelings.

Clayton said the Sunday school children will now breathe a sigh of relief.

“This is someone who had never been on holiday because he contributes his time to church camps. Many children have been converted under his tutelage at camp. I am just glad he will be able to be back home again,” she continued, adding that Clarke has been a camp superintendent for more than 13 years.

Clarke’s long-time friend and church brother, Terence Williams-Brown, said the principal is a man of impeccable character and that justice was served.