TERENCE MICHAEL TREMARCO SENTENCED TO PRISON IN JERSEY FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE

A significant legal development has taken place in Jersey concerning the case of Terence Michael Tremarco, a 62-year-old man whose initial sentencing was recently revisited and ultimately increased following an appeal by the Court of Appeal.

Originally, Tremarco was sentenced to serve 456 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to ten separate counts of assault against a woman. These assaults spanned a period from 1994 to 2000 and included particularly violent acts such as dragging the woman out of bed by her hair, kicking her, stamping on her, and punching her while shouting the word 'die.'

At the time of sentencing, the court considered the fact that Tremarco had not re-offended since 2000 as a mitigating factor, which contributed to the decision to impose community service rather than a custodial sentence. However, this leniency was challenged during the recent appeal hearing.

Judge Michael Furness, presiding over the appeal, explicitly stated that the absence of re-offending did not justify a sentence of community service in this case. The court, therefore, decided to increase Tremarco’s punishment to a three-year prison term, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the need for a more appropriate response to domestic abuse.

During the proceedings, Crown Advocate Luke Sette emphasized the importance of sending a clear message that domestic violence is a grave offense that warrants substantial punishment. He argued that a sentence of only community service might create a perception that such abuse is not taken seriously enough and could undermine deterrence efforts.

Following the court’s decision, Kate Wright, who is the CEO of the domestic abuse charity Freeda, issued a statement highlighting the significance of the ruling. She remarked that 'justice delayed doesn't mean that justice has to be denied,' underscoring the importance of ensuring accountability for perpetrators. Wright also pointed out that the victim, who has endured years of abuse, now faces what she described as 'effectively a life sentence,' and expressed hope that the ruling would serve as a form of validation for her.

Wright further emphasized that the decision sends a strong message to society that domestic abuse is unacceptable and must be met with appropriate legal consequences, reinforcing the commitment to protecting victims and deterring future offenses in Jersey.