One Pichelin resident has learned the hard way, that selling goods without a proper license has consequences.
When she appeared in court on Thursday morning, Hetty Henderson pleaded not guilty to exposing marketable commodities on Old Street without a valid vendor’s license.
Henderson was arrested and charged on 27 September, 2011 for illegally selling produce outside the Roseau market premises.
The trial is set to begin September 13th, 2012.
The accused is not represented by an attorney.
Dont blame the govt, u all are too biass, its the same if she opened a shop without a license, further more its not her first time she has been in this suituation, if i have a license
to sell my goods why cant she get one too, stop puting the govt in every issue that happens in Dominica,, sor toe sort, sarqua ehgwa.
If people Really knew that character they would not sympathize with her for breaking the law.
I think it would be better to get those corrupt law men and politicians who do all the harm to the country out of out streets and offices, and leave those poor people alone, they do no harm to the country they are only trying to help themselves.
Its just AMAZING, ther are so many foreign nationals illegally vending everywhere. Most of them came on tourist visas which means they have no right to work. Instead the system find the best thing to do is to pick on a POOR hard working dominmican and charge them on a TECHNICALITY of not having a license. Law is law but DESCRETION is the better part of valour.
When the people resort to petty crime everyone tells them find some work to do. When they find honest work, they are victimised.
I am not sure why my comment was not posted… Hetty was arrested in 2010 there about with another vendor from Grandbay for selling outside of whitchurch without a license…They then moved up to selling outside of courts.. She knew she was supposed to have a license..
*not*
she was supposed to have a license…
Why does such a simple matter have to be dragged before the courts to waste tax payers money? Aren’t there more serious cases that should be dealt with?
anybody knows how much is the license and where do you pay it?
did she refuse to pay it or was this a spot check?
so the other vendors have theirs i mean those by courts..?
i just find this is nonsense and a waste of the courts time. most likely hetty curse the officer and that is revenge, if i know hetty:-)
I am so confused by Dominicans and their fickle state. They just can’t be consistent and think. It’s always a game of flip flopping where Dominicans are concerned.
I think that they should stop being led by emotions and actually think things through before talking about it.
Reading DNO, i see many calls for upholding the law and yardee yardee yarda. Granted, this situation calls for some emotion, but what does it say of a people who only believe that the law should be applied when it suits them, only to big shots and not poor people?
I’m confused! Yes, there are other more rampant criminal activites going on, however, do Dominicans assist the police? Do they give tips, do they help in any way other than bemoan the lack of judicial respect, system and no solutions? NO. Dominicans just complain, complain, complain.
It’s always a case of damned if you do and damned if you dont. Yes, they should be focusing on more important things, but if this woman was doing something “illegal”(loosely used), then she should be made to pay. The justice can be lenient with her – but at least, the law is being followed. We can’t always have our cakes and be left to enjoy it. Either the law has to be upheld, or Dominica remains “lawless.”
Why don’t you guys try to help the woman get the appropriate license to sell? Why don’t you help her out if you know that she is poor and trying to make ends meet. If you guys are such a friendly nation – where are the grassroot organisations of friendliness to asist the poor and down trodden?
I suggest that instead of the double standard, Dominicans practise what they preach all the time – not sometimes-ish, when it suits me-ish or whatever they do.
I think Dominicans are just a bunch of talk, talk, talk too MUCH.
The world is watching – the government is truly a reflection of its people….flip floppy
Your long piece of garbage is consistent with the crap which one who is far detached from the reality on the ground would write.Are you aware of what happens when people informs the police of criminal activities? Maybe you do, but you are one of the gang members destroying Dominica. You made mention of people helping the lady to obtain a licence, what is your own role in this Sir/Madam? The truth is in this country there is too much selective justice,and people like you and your ilks are exacerbating the problem, maybe under the pretext of loving Dominica? Give me a break! What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. And if you are lost somewhere abroad,come back home and help out some of these poor people,those of us on island can’t do it alone, instead of pompously puffing out a lot of useless hot air.
Hetty was charged previously for the same thing, when she use to sell in front whitchurch…
SAVE-ALOT is right around the corner from the market giving a lot of competetion. Maybe this is why the vendors are trying to go somewhere where people will buy from them before they reach the supermarket… it’s possible. still, sad situation.
That’s an unfortunate situation but the law must be upheld .Laws are made small ones or big ones but they all need to be applied or this country will become lawless .Remember it always starts from the simplest form
did she sale guns, ammmunitions, fire arms ?
@MIchel – it looks like that she was selling. Time will tell!
To begin with I must state that I am an independent mind. I don’t support party but truth and honesty. To @prof who made the comment about “people believing that Gon Emmanuel case is the most important case in Dominica”, let me explain. Gon Emmanuel is mentioned because he is a symbol of, injustice and victimization by our judicial system based on his political affiliation. It is crazy when people cannot trust the judicial process based on their political views.
I mean let’s be fair for once!!! How can we as people of the supposed free world tolerate a Prime Minister who boldly states that no law or constitution can prevent him from….? If people cannot see a problem with that well God help them!!!!
I think it’s time we take a stand and we should rally around this woman. Too many time these women are working tooth and nail to feed their family and they don’t catch a break. Sooooooooooo many criminals are on the streets killing, raping, beating on women and doing God knows what else and yet they walk the streets like kings. Some of know them and we don’t say a word. This hard working lady doesn’t deserve to be treated that way.
I forgot the work us…the sentence should read some of us know…
i cannot believe that police would arrest Hetty when there are so many things that needs attention in Dominica. come on man allow the lady to eat a bread. had she gone to steal it would be a different case stupes.
pure sufferation for the poor the lady is no criminal if i was a police nobody doh making arrest that lady
If you knew that lady you would never feel sorry for her. True story!
thing like that we should at least pardon
either the lady said something the party did not like or ether she is known to be ture to blue.
that’s how Dominica is split down the center,
politic politic politics.
Alas poor Hetty!
they will charge this poor lady but the real criminals going scot free what a way our justice
system work
Ok I agree law is law.. I hope the Haitians will be arrested, cuz they are all over town selling vegetables…
In other words poor people have to go on their knees to the Red Clinic, hands stretch out,trembling and saying Mr PM i have nothing today i need $20.00 to buy sugarfor the children.
The lady is trying her best to eat,deal with her differently. Go tackle the real criminals.
MAY CHAS TAY.
Well what she do understand is that under a dictatership system you have to go and begg your leaders do try to do your own thing and further more she is not a Chini who it seem are exempted from procicution,if the government mad tell them jail a chini and they will see what china will do them,it in the MOU ha ha ha
the law is the law if u were in new york u get license some time we have to do what/’s right the law is the law
The law is only for the poor in Dominica. Are you living in Mars or in Dominica?
We are not in NY we are in Dominica the land of our birth. When voler go and steal u all say no jobs. When ppl plant sell their produce by road police arrest them, may I ask where are we going to? its time to show our real face I mean, we are too hipocrite in this dam country. If we in god we’re in or if we’re on the opposite, show our real identite .To many father less children in Dominica and thats the only way parents will make a dollar faster to feed their children. …. So seat in the lady place and ask yourself if I loose my job one day, what will I do to servive these hard times.
We can deal with these people better than that.
WICKEDNESS!
@ Anonymous
The Law is the Law and everyone must abide by the Law!
You need to explain to Dominican what kind of law we have in Dominica. LAW FOR THE POOR ONLY?
You call that Next Level!
A government who cares nothing about the poor. Nothing else could have been done?
Why these people cannot go at those who are the real criminals like those responsible for firebombing GON EMMANUEL.
Ham – seems like you have knowledge of the firebombing. Why withhold evidence? if you have evidene and you care so much, then take it to the police!! Stop living on hearsay.
@ Reader: Your moron! Your name is ‘Reader’. Go and learn to read. Why is the GON EMMANUEL hurting some of you so nah! Those who are responsible will by God’s grace face the court one good day.
The law is the law is the law.
We call for the police to apply the laws of the land across board. The unfortunate arrest of the vendor is a manifestation of our justice system at work. Let the system work. Besides, the City Council has worked for years with the police to have the vendors comply with the laws, with little success. Yes, the Haitians are also subjected to the same laws.
ALAS! POOR LADY !
Live by the Law and you will not get into trouble.
Dat Govt too wicked, handouts u all want to keep people on
pay your part, pay your fees!
I WAS IN DOMINICA 2 YEARS AGO ,I SAW MANY HAITIANS SELLING AROUND THE CORNER CLOSE TO SHILLINGFORDS SUPER MARKET I WAS SURPRISE BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY OF THEM,I NEVER THOUGHT THAT DOMINICA HAD SO MANY HAITIANS….WHERE WERE THE LAW ENFORCERS AT THAT TIME ?THE DOMINICAN GOV’T DO NOT GIVE FINANCIAL HELP SO WHY IS IT THAT MURDERERS CAN GO FREELY ON THE STREETS AND POOR PEOPLE CANNOT DO WHAT THEY WANT TO FEED THEMSELVES?MOST WOMEN THAT ARE LAZY TURN TO PROSTITUTION WHICH IS THE WRONG SIDE ;SHE CHOSE THE RIGHT SIDE WHY GIVE HER A CRIMINAL CHARGE TO SUPPORT HERSELF AND HER FAMILY.
THE POPULATION LEAVING STANDARD IS MUCH TOO POOR TO ARREST A HARD WORKING WOMAN FOR SUCH A PETTY THING. THAT IS NOT A CRIME . I AM SURE THAT THE GOV’T WOULD NEVER GIVE HER ANY FINANCIAL HELP IF SHE ASKED FOR IT …
PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TRYING TO HELP YOURSELF IN A DESCENT MANNER IS A CRIME IN DOMINICA BE WARE OF THIS ….THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I JUDGE IT….END OF STORY.
@ C.B.
You are not write in capital letters and so much of them. It is like shouting. Did you not read DNO’s regulations?
There must be an organized system. If everyone sold their goods on the sidewalks what would Roseau of all look like? It would be mass confusion and a sore sight.
My feeling is that she tried to save time and money by not applying for a license. If this is her first time, I hope that she will receive a warning and be exonerated. I do not endorse a rigid punishment for her.
And your point is?
In the meantime those who firebombed and almost killed GON Emmanuel and wife Gretta, cannot be touched at all. They are still out there like monarchs of all they survey. A CORRUPT AND CROOKED COUNTRY! The poor man has to endure too much. According to Peter the Lion Tosh “Only the poor man are feel it yeah are”.
i AM TOTALLY AGAINST THIS MADNESS,AND SOMINICANS SHOULD GET MAD AT THE SYSTEM. Most of these people are very poor people and the state is denying them a legal way of living. There should be other forms of punishmnent to deal with the poor and downtrodden who is struggling to survive in this difficult country. BUT WHO CARES? The real criminals are committing millions of crimes morning, noon and night, in the AM and in the PM but not a whistle is blown.
I WONDER WHO IS CARING FOR THE POOR.
This is what i call a vicious Dominica. A terrible country for the poor man to live in.
You know, you are right…Who cares?
Who cares that the vendors create a traffic hazard by obstructing the smooth flow of traffic and forcing shoppers off the sidewalk and into the streets?
Who cares that the practice of vending off the sidewalks in town is unsightly and unhygienic?
Who cares that some vendors leave their spots dirty, hence adding to the shoddy and filthy appearance of some areas in town?
Who cares that vending of agricultural produce away from the market is an unlawful act and if we do not monitor and condemn it we would essentially become selective about the application of the laws on our books?
Heck, who cares what the rest of Dominica thinks about the persons vending illegally on the sidewalks? The «real» crimes are only those certain Dominicans perceive as crimes.
Dominicans…a classic. SMH!
@Peeping Tom
“we would essentially become selective about the application of the laws on our books?”
This should read: We are already selective about the application of the laws on our books. Do I have to give an example? The law in Dominica DOES NOT APPLY TO EVERYONE.
Madame the juge at least warn her because we have children to feed most times women raise children alone and its a weight. YOU dont know her situation best she sell without a licence than she sell drugs to feed her children. When some ppl tired struggle under presure and hard time they blow off so please give this lady a second chance please.
This is no excuse.. Want to be a vendor, get your licenses…
ANOTHER MALAWAY is on the receiving end of it again.Those who can hardly eat, and doing something legal to survive are penalised while the same good no good citizens who oppress the poor, who are high up in society cannot be touched no matter the gravity of the crime thy commit. This makes me vex to the bone you know.
Some of these MALAWEY sometimes have to take a trip to town on credit to sell what they have..Warn them, provide alternative locations with stalls for them to sell ,have another designated area for them to sell, but PAPA BONDIER THESE ARE THE POOR PEOPLE OF DOMINICA. Don’t charge them. Dominica belongs to all of us. All of us have to eat. I know what it is to be a poor person. I was born and raised by a single mother who was poor.
IN THE MEANTIME THE REAL CRIMINALS IN HIGH OFFICES are wrecking havoc with Dominica! OH MY GOD!
the laws of the commonwealth of dominica is for one set…..i will just light the whole damn country with blazing fire…
Ignorance!
Awa wi
The law in Dominica is was not meant to protect the poor.
Labour was supposed to change that but alas papa bodieu all of them busy looking for their pockets!
So everything in DA carries a criminal charge? Must everone get a criminal record for the slighest infraction?
In the mean time, people are being assaulted left, right and center and the police seem incapable to do anything about it.
Dominica is a law-abiding country. The new mantra is: Compliance with the law. Get on board.
@Peeping Tom: I thought we had No Law no Constitution? You must tell us why keeping the law does not apply to you and your gang. Just why is always the poor man.
@ peeping Tom u said dominica is a law abiding country then if it is so, how comes Sara Lyn Augustine kill her children and the law of Dominica let her get away scott free with murder. They say she is in crazy house in Canada that am trying to believe because she’s on computer communicating on facebook, and i strongly believe once u in crazy house they do’nt really let one get on computer because it’s a place where a lot of medication is given and by the time they done with u that person feels like they in la la land. So some body any body tell me what the HELL is going on. Now u see what am talking about now live the poor lady alone.
So all the Haitians, etc who sell good on Old Street has license?! Wayyyy papa!
but Haitians don’t get charged and spanish cash for gold and what else get no charges, they have no licences! Give the woman a warning, why charge her? Haitians up in your face all where you turn nobody charging them, Dominicans can’t catch a break.. Charge those Chinese too. The hell this is aggravating
How many «warnings» must she receive before the law is judiciously applied?
u shouldn’t give your name peeping tom u are more likely to be talking tom , there is this apps on cell phones and ipads which they call talking tom and that what u sound like.In case u never seen it have the youngsters show it to u and there u will start laughing at your self.
I doh agree with that nonsense you know. So poor people cannot even sell a little produce to buy a loaf of bread to feed their children anymore without having to go through a whole red tape business?
Magwaysah! Dominica is fastly becoming a very hostile place to the poor and down trodden. First they went after the fishermen now they going after the planters.
Go after them big time merchant all you have there that escaping with all kinds of zazi muzii man…
Oh sure, «poor people» can and are encouraged to sell produce. However, being «poor» is no excuse for breaking the law.
What kind of nation do we build when we begin to select which laws we enforce and which ones we ignore? Is this an eenee meenee mina mo game?
Thank you and amen!!!
Let murders go free and people trying to feed there self and family jail them well well what is good for the goose is good for the gander.Now if that what u call law well let me tell u something it need fixing and it need fixing bad. The Good lord must be looking down and wondering what is going on here, are u asleep don’t u see what going on around u ,Dominica is not Nature isle any more. It’s when u get a chance Run.
Bull