Motin’s lawyer James Leonard said Motin unsuccessfully tried to take the Single off autopilot and change course, arguing that while Motin was at fault he was not grossly negligent.
But, after a trial at London’s Old Bailey court, Motin was convicted on Monday and returned for sentencing on Thursday.
Judge Andrew Baker described Motin, who had turned off the Single‘s alarm systems, as an “accident waiting to happen” and told him that Pernia died “under your command…and because of your gross negligence”.
Prosecutor Tom Little read out a statement from Pernia’s wife, who lives in the Philippines and was seven months pregnant with their second child at the time of his death.
“Our longing for him will remain forever,” she said.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James)
