For the next two years and six months, the Dominica State Prison will be the home of a well-known defendant to the court, Anthony Scotland of Pointe Michel, commonly known as Bwillay or Fyar.
Less than a month after Scotland was given a six-month suspended jail sentence for one year for theft on February 19, 2023, he again appeared in court charged with stealing two candles and candle holders from St Luke Parish Catholic Church valued at $276.00.
The facts of the case follow:
St Luke Parish Catholic Church purchased six black candle holders with glass shades at a cost of EC$136.00 per set and a few candles at EC$2.00 each.
Sandra Lantan, who is the sacristan of the church in Pointe Michel, on February 24, 2023, at 7:30 PM, blew off all the candles which she lit and placed into the Ambo after Friday night mass.
The complainant packed them up, closed the Ambo, covered the altar, locked the church, and left.
On February 26, at about 7:00 AM. on arrival at the said church to prepare for Sunday mass, she went into the sanctuary to uncover the altar and then open the Ambo, at which point she noticed that only four out of the original six candles along with their holder and shades were in the Ambo.
Lantan took the four candles with their holder and shades, lit them, and place them in their position.
She conducted a further search of the area but did not find the other two candles with their holders and shades.
A report was made to her assistant, Sonia Williams, and the parish priest, Father Thaddeus Mama. Despite an extensive search of the church, the candles were never found.
On March 3, 2023, at about 9:30 AM, the complainant called the Pointe Michel Police Station and made a report. Constable Durand who was on duty at the time was detailed to investigate.
At about 9:40 AM on the same day, Constable Durand went on duty at the St Luke Parish Catholic Church where he met and had a conversation with the complainant. The officer made certain observations and left.
Acting on information, Constable Durand along with Corporal Blaize went on duty to the home of Scotland.
In the home, Constable Durand saw one candle with its holder and shade, which fit the description of the ones reported missing from the church on an old chest freezer in the defendant’s living room.
The Officer also saw another candle with its holder and shade in an empty room.
Officer Durand identified himself to the defendant as a police officer as he was dressed in plain clothes and introduced the other officer to the defendant. Officer Durand informed the defendant of the report which he was investigating, and Scotland replied, “I doh have light, two candle I take in the church you can take them.”
The investigator informed the defendant that he was arresting him on suspicion of theft and cautioned him.
He said, “For what? Two candle I take in the church. All you going to take me court for two candles.”
The officers then transported the defendant to the St Luke Parish Catholic Church at Pointe Michel and in the presence of the complainant, Officer Durand asked the defendant to show him where he took the candles along with their holders and shades.
He pointed to the Ambo and said, “In that I take it.” He was then transported to the Roseau Police Station where he was searched and placed in Police cells.
After conducting further investigations into the matter a charge of theft was preferred against Scotland.
At the court hearing, the accused who was unrepresented mitigated on his own behalf.
“They doing some renovation in my house and I have a temporary board. The TV giving me some light. I usually take water by the church so I know they does have little candles so I wanted some light in the la salle so I took two candles by the church.”
In his plea to the court, he further begged for forgiveness saying, “I know I shouldn’t have done that but I will not do it again. If I have to pay I will but it will not happen again. I am sorry.”
Scotland concluded, “when I take the candles, I didn’t think it would reach this far.”
In handing down his sentence, presiding Magistrate Michael Laudat told the defendant that his hands were tied as he must activate the suspended jail sentence imposed on February 19.
“When you appeared in court last month for theft of groceries, the Magistrate cautioned you to not re-offend for a year or else the sentence will be activated, so I’m sorry Mr. Scotland there is nothing I can do for you.”
Magistrate Laudat further reprimanded him for his action advising him to “stay away from the church.”
Apart from his six-month activated sentence, for the candle theft, he was imprisoned for an additional 24 months, “…for every dollar of the $276.00 you stole.”
The sentences will run consecutively. “Go and sin no more. When those old people put their candle in church leave it in peace, is for you and me they praying,” Magistrate Laudat told Scotland.
Restitution was ordered for the stolen items.
This man need help not prison
When the Poor steals they get put in jail but when Poor LEE Tee Cians steal there seems to be no way to even investigate them let alone hold them responsible
What a lengthy useless article by DNO. A man stealing candles at a church. This is another clear indication of help needed. Not prison. What forms of rehabilitation are there in the prison to help this individual become a better person? Is there another intuition to help men/women like this offender. I don’t want to call this a criminal act even though it is committed by a criminal. This individuals’ need help and it is another failure of this nonsense regime to disregard its people who are in need. Important needs. With all the dollars playing cards in Morne Daniel and Vieille-Case and other unknown places it would be worthwhile to put some of the dollars in a big rehabilitation institution. Not Stock Farm Prison. Morne Tigg and Morne Laudat deserve this prison.
This guy should pay with his freedom for the theft of the church candles. Don’t you think that it is full time for Roosevelt to give an account for the billions of the missing CBI funds or spend time in the state pen? Justice should be blind.
That is ok I support the sentence.The UWP supporters were not even charged for threatening and assaulting the Archbishop and Bishop in Marigot.Today we see a number tormented and cursed UWP supporters walking the streets of Roseau every Wednesday.The Archbishop and Bishop shake their sultan and daycalay UWP,they cannot rest .That is called dwive.
The arch Bishop wasnt threatened. He was pleaded with to say or do something about the state of the nation during those protests in Marigot. He was not harmed he was not threatened. Stop spreading lies.
No man mister have leemiere potcham!
Going and still in all places a catholic church? When the priest shaes his sultan on mister and say three hail mary + four our father mister finish! “Go and sin no more. When those old people put their candle in church leave it in peace, is for you and me they praying,” Magistrate Laudat told Scotland.
Laudat self not easy nuh 
He there playing priest.
In a society where even the church becomes fair game to thieves and vandals things are truly dire. The country has lost its moral compass. Decadence abounds.
The notorious, Lying misleader has stolen the soul of the country. The country is now like a rudderless ship. We are heading for a watery grave if power is not wrestled out of the hands of the abusive despot.
Some time last year a judge give a man less that 5 years for sexual activities with his woman grand daughter she was 6 years old look at the crime this man committed 2 candles he stole that cost $2 and 2 holders 2 years for that plus the pervious 6 month’s suspended sentence.I ain’t agree with what he did but it looks like their Carrie’s a higher sentence than those child molesters charges
This is brilliant. The state will spend $50k over two years to incarcerate a person for stealing $140. Money well spent.
Absolutely, the state would get much better value if they were to lock up Skerrit. Why is he still on the loose?
Shouldn’t we seek instead to lock up the only political leader who is caught promising our passports to ghost investors in exchange for election campaign money?
Lol is for you and me they praying……
My advice next time try Credit cards, you will get a lighter sentence……
Wow these are the same people who preach on how to be a Christian. So they couldn’t find it in their Christian hearts to forgive?
Maybe he has been forgiven 1 too many times. Maybe he has been a repeat offender and the church has not made mention of it. And this is the only time we first hear, so we are trying to play empathetic. “oh give him a chance, oh your a church just pray for him, oh this oh that.”
God helps those who help themselves. Maybe this is the only way the church can help itself not be robbed or broken into. In short, i do not know enough to make the kinds of statements made previously.
What would Jesus do?
Turn the candles into loafs of bread, multiply them and feed the poor!
In his plea to the court, he further begged for forgiveness saying, “I know I shouldn’t have done that but I will not do it again. If I have to pay I will but it will not happen again. I am sorry.”
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. And he answered, God has forgiven your sins, my child. Go in peace. Sadly, our prison system is not reformative and is not the place for this guy. He is clearly in need of some sort of behavioral therapy. Other than that, he will be back to the same old story when he gets released.
Hmmmmmmmm.
I thought the church would pray for him instead!!!