Matthew Hyde's family pays $2 million to ex-girlfriend he tortured

The family of Matthew Hyde has made $2 million restitution to his ex-girlfriend who suffered second degree burns from a clothes iron when he held her captive in his dorm and tortured her for three days.

But, prosecutor Ashtelle Steele told the court that the amount is less than half of what the complainant is seeking.

The disclosure was made this afternoon during the continuation of Hyde's sentencing hearing in the Home Circuit Court.

Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell will hand down her ruling on December 17.

The judge noted that she was awaiting outstanding materials and also needed time to factor in the prosecution's reply to the cases that were cited by Hyde's lawyer Patrick Peterkin.

Meanwhile, Steele during her response described the case as being very egregious and unlike any other case, including those cited by Peterkin.

Steele said the injuries to the complainant caused physical, psychological and financial harm.

She stressed that what Hyde did amounted to torture and that it was deliberate and cruel.

The prosecutor further submitted that Hyde's action was premeditated as he did not burn the accused just once, but four times.

She cited his comments to the complainant that she should be thanking him after he allowed her to take a cold shower after burning her, and Hyde saying to her "Let me appraise my art work" in making her arguments.

Peterkin had asked Justice Tie -Powell to consider a sentence of between three and four years during his plea-in-mitigation.

The lawyer had urged the judge to bear in mind the personal circumstances of Hyde, who has undergone personal and psychological challenges since childhood and is currently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

The 21 year old, who has been in custody since his arrest last February, pleaded guilty on September 26 to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, use of malicious communication, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and false imprisonment.

The University of the West Indies student was charged after he held his ex-girlfriend captive for three days in his room at George Alleyne Hall and tortured her with a hot clothing iron and other implements.
She was  discovered sometime after 10 p.m. on February 9, 2023.

It is alleged that Hyde injured the complainant following cheating accusations.

Attorneys-at-law Gnoj McDonald also appeared for Hyde while Obika Gordon is watching proceedings for the complainant.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.