Albert Jno Baptiste of Virgin Lane Roseau failed to convince the court that he should be given “a break” after he pleaded guilty to maliciously damaging the left fender of a vehicle which he said was obstructing him.
Jno. Baqptiste told the court that he had made several reports to the police about the matter but received no satisfaction. On August 5, 2012 he then took the matter into his own hands and damaged the fender of the vehicle resulting in the owner making a report to the police.
“You have to respect people’s property…you can’t take the law in your hands,” Magistrate Candia George told the very remorseful first time offender.
Jno. Baptiste was fined EC$900.00 the value of the fender to be paid by September 30, 2012 and in default, two months jail. He also has to pay EC$500.00 by October 31, 2012 or face another two months jail.
Another man, Anthony Charles of 154-C RBC Bath Estate, was also fined after he pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and wounding.
The court was told that Charles went to the Roseau Police Station on Saturday August 4, 2012 at 10:30am and said, “Officer I just prick Oscar Laville in Newtown with a scissors…” Charles was arrested for the offence and he pleaded guilty telling the court that Laville had stolen his cell phone and shoes from his home.
He was fined EC500.00 for possession of the offensive weapon to be paid by August 31, 2012 failing which Charles faces 2 months in jail and EC$1,000.00 for wounding to be paid by October 31, 2012 or spend 3 months behind bars.
Oscar Laville was also arrested and charged for theft of a cell phone and shoes belonging to Anthony Charles.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and is now on remand in prison as he was not able to get a proper person to bail him.
The trial date is set for November 20, 2012.
DNO: “He was fined EC500.00 for possession of the offensive weapon to be paid by August 31, 2012 failing which Charles faces 2 months in jail” Does that make sense at all? Does the editor in chief proof read anything before it’s published?
To bad for all
Those who take matters into their own hands will pay the price. Two of those could have been avoided. Now they have a hefty financial price to pay for it.
As for the other one who stole from his friend, it is a shame. He is now in jail. If only they all would have thought twice before acting. The Court/government will financially benefit from them who are not rich people but who must pay the fines. Think twice in the future before committing any sort of crime.
True. However, the police dept. is on the slow side to act or resolve matters before it gets to a critical level.
@ anonymous2
It appears to me that the Police need to undergo an additional training course upgrade. They should not be so slow to respond in any matter. Do they not realize that they are answerable, not only to the government but to ‘the people’? We hope and soon enough that department will be revamped. They need to step on the gas and perform their duties efficiently, to promote and maintain a good reputation, one of dignity, integrity and respect, to serve and protect to the best of their ability.