Noel Maitland’s lack of remorse, his duty as a cop to understand and obey the law, as well as the attempts he made to cover -up his crime weighed heavily in Justice Leighton Pusey’s decision to impose a life sentence on him for the murder of his 24-year-old girlfriend Donna-Lee Donaldson.

Pusey handed down the sentence on Friday in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, ending an eight-month-long murder trial throughout which Maitland insisted he was innocent.

He was found guilty by a seven-member jury on January 22 for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse in relation to the July 12, 2022 disappearance of Donaldson. She was last seen at the Chelsea Manor Apartment in St Andrew where Maitland lived.

Maitland will not be eligible for parole until he spends 32 years in prison.

During the sentencing on Friday, Pusey explained that parole is not a right and that people sentenced to life in prison can usually expect to spend the rest of their natural life behind bars.

The judge also sentenced Maitland to two years in prison for preventing the lawful burial of a corpse. The sentences will run concurrently.

Making reference to defence attorney Christopher Townsend’s submission to the court, Justice Pusey said: “Mr Townsend indicated that Mr Maitland is innocent and therefore he does not have to be remorseful of the crime. However, in my role as sentencing judge the lack of remorse has to be a factor which is considered.”

Touching on the issue of Maitland taking numerous steps to cover up the crime, Pusey pointed out that the absence of Donaldson’s body has caused even more trauma on members of her family.

In handing down the sentences, Pusey considered the fact that Maitland was aware of the discomfort Donaldson felt about him still being in a relationship with the mother of his child.

Maitland had said in his statement to the police that Donaldson started an argument with him while at his apartment after he answered a phone call from the mother of his child. He said she was also upset about a picture of his child’s mother which he had in his apartment.

The former cop also said that he explained to Donaldson that he could not abandon the mother of his child and expressed that he wanted to end the relationship with Donaldson. He claimed that she started to argue with him but he went to bed. He further claimed that the following day she woke him up, said she was leaving, and then she left.

However, it is believed that she was killed inside the apartment.

Pusey said he had to send a message to society that violence and murder are not acceptable ways to solve problems.

The judge also pointed out that Maitland was a policeman and cops are deemed to understand the importance of obeying the laws of the land. But that did not occur, based on his actions.

Prior to the handing down of the sentences, Townsend and Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson made submissions to the judge on what sentences they felt would be appropriate.

In reference to parole, Townsend cited numerous laws to emphasise the point that the possibility of rehabilitation should always be considered by a sentencing judge. He proposed that Maitland become eligible for parole after 17 years and four months in prison.

The attorney also appealed to Pusey to consider the fact that Maitland had no previous convictions and that he had been gainfully employed and contributing to society. Additionally, he painted a picture of Maitland as someone who gave excellent service to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Thompson, however, urged Pusey to impose sentences that fit the offender and the crime. She said that a life sentence was most fitting and that the only discount Maitland should be entitled to is the time he already spent in custody, which was just over three years.

After the sentencing, Donaldson’s mother, Sophia Lugg, told journalists that she and other members of the family were comfortable with the punishment. At the same time, she still wished Maitland would reveal what exactly happened to her daughter.

She expressed gratitude to the prosecutors and the police for securing a conviction and a life sentence in the matter.

Accompanying Lugg to court were her mother, daughter, sister, and niece, who told the
Jamaica Observer that they were pleased with the sentence.

Sophia Lugg giving thanks outside the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston on Friday after Noel Maitland, the man found guility of murder in relation to the July 12, 2022 disappearance of her daughter Donna-Lee Donaldson, was sentenced to 32 years in prison. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson (foreground) and her team leave the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston on Friday after Noel Maitland, the man found guility of murder in relation to the July 12, 2022 disappearance of his girlfriend Donna-Lee Donaldson, was sentenced to 32 years in prison. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Defence attorney Christopher Townsend speaks with journalists outside the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston on Friday after his client, Noel Maitland, was sent to prison for life for the murder of his girlfriend Donna-Lee Donaldson. Attorney Chadwick Berry, who is a member of Maitland’s defence team, looks on. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

In this file photo Constable Noel Maitland enters a police vehicle on exiting the Supreme Court during his murder trial last year. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Beverley Robinson is seen outside the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston on Friday after Noel Maitland, who was found guilty of murder in relation to the disappearane of her granddaughter Donna-Lee Donaldson, was sentenced to 32 years in prison. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)