Barely a week after being fined for a similar offense, Isaiah Stevens of Valley Road has once again been fined for two counts of malicious damage. The repeat offender appeared at the Roseau Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette George on Friday, April 26, pleading guilty to both counts.
Facts presented to the court state that between April 12 and 14, the defendant severely damaged the glass structures of two delivery Toyota Hiace buses licensed TO323 and TO 934 owned by Ruben’s Bakery in Newtown. Manager of the bakery, Mervin Bermingham informed police that in the wee hours of Sunday, April 14, upon arriving at the facility, he noticed that the two buses parked outside the establishment were damaged. During investigations, camera footage showed the accused, a previous employee, red-handed in the act.
Stevens was arrested by the police the following day and informed that a charge of malicious damage was preferred against him before being taken into custody. During his interview with police, the accused confessed, “Officer, I was just frustrated, I took a bottle and broke [the] glass of [the] bus.” To the court, he explained, “I came from work, and Mr. Bermingham told me I was working the following day. The next day I came to work and I met somebody else there working. When I [asked] about it, nobody knew what was going on, so I got upset.”
Considering her week-old sentence of Stevens for a prior, similar offense in Roseau, a concerned magistrate eyed Stevens in confusion. She questioned, “So why are you just breaking people’s glass of their vehicles?”
His reply baffled the court.
“I am not just breaking anybody’s glass, I am breaking the glass of people who are causing issues for me and making it look like I am crazy.”
Invoices presented to the court quote costs of $1,800.00 and $391.30 respectively.
Sentencing the accused, who is now unemployed, seemed initially challenging for Magistrate Carette George as the prosecution requested another chance on behalf of Stevens, stating, “Your honor, everybody has their struggles and problems. I think he should get another chance to pay a fine. If he is unable to settle it in time, then he will serve time.”
The magistrate responded with some leniency and sentenced Stevens to pay $391.30 by May 31, or face a month of imprisonment, as well as $1,800.00 by September 30, or six months of imprisonment, with respect to each claim of malicious damage. As part of the latter sentence, Stevens is bonded to ‘keep the peace’ for one year, or pay a fine of $1,000.00, or face six months of imprisonment.
Just like that? it seems everybody frustrated
His reply baffled the court.
“I am not just breaking anybody’s glass, I am breaking the glass of people who are causing issues for me and making it look like I am crazy.”
But Mr Stevens, you are crazy!! This is not ‘normal’ civilised behaviour. Behave yourself. Go learn a useful skill and be a good role model to the younger generation. And while you’re at it, go get help for your frustration. Sending good vibes your way.