A man from Grand Bay, Kelvin Alexander, who robbed a New Town gas station of $335 in broad daylight has five years behind bars to think about his actions.
Alexander was sentenced on Friday by Magistrate Bernard Pacquette after he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft.
When Alexander made his appearance in court, he was charged for robbery and theft of the Island Petroleum Gas Station, commonly known as Sukie’s gas station.
However, the robbery charge was withdrawn after Alexander pleaded guilty to the theft charge.
Court documents revealed that on August 26, around 9:30 am, Alexander went to the gas station, asking about the price of a bottle of engine oil. When he was told the price, $14.75, he went outside and consulted someone on the telephone of the brands and price.
He eventually paid $20 and the station attendant went to get change.
Alexander then followed the attendant into the office and pulled out a gray and black gun and demanded money from the cash register.
The cash register contained $335, which was given to Alexander.
Not satisfied he ordered the attendant to open the vault but she told him she did not know the code.
Alexander ordered the attendant to lie on the floor but the crime was cut short when a customer came to the establishment, causing him to run away.
The gun reportedly used was not found and Alexander told the police it was just a toy gun which he threw away. He said he could not remember where.
In mitigation, Alexander’s attorney, Ronald Charles, said Alexander has four children, has expressed remorse for what he did and has apologized.
He begged for a non custodial sentence for his client but the plea fell on deaf ears and Pacquette sentenced Alexander to five years behind bars.
“You cannot terrorize people and get away with it,” he said.
When Alexander committed the crime he was on bail on a charge of robbing the Western Union in Roseau.
Five years?!?!?!? And they dropped the robbery charge because he pled guilty to theft????? Weren’t there eye-witnesses to make the robbery charge stick??? Dcan law is too lenient with these criminals! The man committed armed robbery with a deadly weapon!
So if mister has a passport what occupation is stated on it? Professional robber?
five years alone, mister should have gotten about 40 years so when he is out at about age 66 most likely he won’t want to do that again. Mister was the same person who was hitting western Union and other places and because he did not get jail time, he continued doing his same old thing. They should have given alot more time in the slammer. 2.5 to 3 years actual jail time is not. enough
Anyway Ronald, evenif, evenif, but allu those lawyers there have guts we papa! The man is dangerous he was on bail for a similar incidence… he could have killed people in both incidences, . A thief is a murderer!
If a gun or any sort of weapon is used during a robbery, the penalty should be greater. The gun or weapon could kill and/or injure and maim. What if the attendant did not cooperate with him, consider he could have used the weapon.
The charge for theft should not have been reduced. He did commit robbery, whether he admitted it or not. His admitting it should not have reduced the charge for robbery.
It appears that he received a reduced sentence. He should be tried on both counts, in fact three counts or more. Pre-meditated robbery; using a weapon; stealing money; could easily have killed the station attendant. He probably lied and stated it was a toy gun. Nevertheless, it was brandished in the robbery.
I do not comprehend this. He was out on bail. This case has yet to be called. He re-offended, was caught and this case took precedence over the first one. Is this how the Court System in D/ca operates?
What was the hold-up for the first hearing? He deserved to be imprisoned since he re-offended while out on bail. Then the first case should be called and then the second one.
If this is how the D/ca Court Systtem operates, I may have to take a legal course to comprehend this one (and a few others), if there is an explanation why the second case was called prior to the first one. I am baffled. It beats me. Someone may have an explanation for this. To me, it makes no sense, calling the second case before the first one.
If a man pleads guilty to an offense, it is dealt with there and then. Should he enter a not guilty plea, then dates are set for trial sometime later
The robbery charge was withdrawn after he pleaded guilty to theft? Are you people kidding me! Isn’t the charge of armed robbery more severe than theft?
It’s unfortunate people can get away with”murder” because we are so accomadating in our police force. We are too lazy or rather uncommitted to the job we do that we prompt offenders to plead guilty to lesser charges, compromising the justice system, and let them off on serious offences. My Goodness, how can we accept an excuse in an armed robbery that it was just a toy gun and I threw it away. What about the victim? The trauma? We can forget Sukie and the $300 +
not enufffff
somebody please tell me are these lawyers so desperate to cry for a person who does such a crime? one day just one good day it will hit home and the victim will be a lawyer and it will hurt him to see a lawyer like him cries out in mitigation for the offender. just a matter of time. GOD is not asleep.
Tell me if I am wrong. In any other country, this man would be facing at least 10 years.
This guy have a problem he need help
Whatttt..he Rob Sukkie
Is that man’s father from tetemorne
Yes
Slammer ? Haha …he is going to get slammed in the slammer …lol
i know this man from young, he have been committing crime after crime born to be a volleh.
at 46 and that is what this man finding to do? I would more expect that from those younger generation.He really needs his hands to be chopped off stuppes man.
Mistah lying a real gun that was there.
I am not sure as to the reason for which the Charge of Robbery which is the higher of the two charges would have been dropped. Fact is, he used a gun, toy or real, with which he placed the attendant in much fear for her life. Clear cut robbery. robbery ought to be on his antecedent.
i was thinking the same just 5 years for robbery with a gun and he was already on bail and the police should make him get the gun whether it be a toy gun or not
The justice system is part of the crime problem in the Country
the man on bail fr robbing the western union in roseau. awa this guy most stay stock farm. and they should give him a year for every day he wast on turning the gun in.
He needs to get 50 years for the western union robbery.
Or better yet, one year for each $1000 of the $218,695.91 he stole at Western Union.
Nothing but PURE BS! sooo much money that boy steal before and ya’ll only giving him 5 years? He is laughing at this justice system…all yall did was send him on a mini vacation. smh to our justice system boy.
Robbed Gas Station on Monday.
Arrested on Tuesday.
Charged on Thursday.
Tried and Jailed on Friday.
Wow! The Justice System really works in Dominica!
Yes, but only for a some I am afraid!!
Interesting…
– PM’s dual citizenship case: How long?
– 44 counts against Attorney: How long?
– Police shut vagrant or vagrant shut himself: How long?
– President illegally elected:.How Long?
– UWP members arrested for lawfully protesting in Roseau: How long?
And of course
– Fire bombing or attempted murder of Mano and his wife: How long?
How long?
he should have get 5 for the robbery and 5 for the toy gun.
so is he going to be charged for his western union robbery which he was on bail for? and five years alone for a man who commits an offence while on bail for another! yes I jah. magway sah
He will still be prosecuted for western union crime. U can be tried and convicted for multiple crimes – even if you already in jail.
this 5 years is not to think of nothing its just to have a sweet life no bills to pay and still have all the good time that we working had for I just think Dominica law is a big joke
That is a BIG joke…I almost want to laugh…
Five years only?..He committed the same crime before and was on bail to repeat another SAME crime…And he don’t remember where he throw the GUN!!….That it was only a toy GUN!!…Only a FOOL will fall for this bullish!!!!!
U see wat I mean d man on vial for rubbin western union n his backside shud be locked up for that crime anyway
We really need another ‘YOU FOLLOW’ Magistrate
well all i can say is that mister case call fast papa, i wonder when mano case going to call..
They had Tiyani Behanzin.
What did they do?
They kicked him out!!!
oh he have children and that’s what he want to teach his children? robbery!!!! So is a rabbit he has then. come on the lady’s pressure could have gone up so high causing heart failure. That’s a serious offense. we understand that lawyers are to be paid too but The persons in charge of prosecution must inform them that they must not seek to put their life on the line for these kind of people.
Mr is the same man that rob western union last year February 2, 2012.that time they said he was 43 now they say he 46 LOL so after a year past he 3 years older
That’s because he is a con-man and will say and do anything to get away with crimes.
5yrs alone? that’s a joke…no wonder those thief think they can do what they want cause they will get away with it. the most they will get is a slap on the hand. Arm robbery is very serious, he could have killed the woman. It is high time an example be made of people like this!
Five yeas for repeat criminal who held someone at gunpoint. The next time he Rob’s someone, that person is not going to b so lucky. Prison don’t change these so and so. They have nothing to loose when they come out, so they get more desperate. Only God changes people, and they have to b willing to change. ‘Good luck’ my Dominica.
Good job Pacquette! Quick justice – today for tomorrow! Send them to Stockfarm especially when they on bail and they commit more crimes. I hope his other case gets another 20 years in addition to that 5 received today.
he should get extra years unless the gun shows up. Be it real or fake.