A Roseau Magistrate has imposed what he described as “a small fine” on Karlunda Faustine of Castle Comfort after he pleaded guilty to stealing a drink at Issa Trading on October 19, 2013
The drink was valued at $3.96.
According to the facts as read out in court by police prosecutor Inspector Michael Ladaut, Faustine entered the store at about 1:15 pm and went to the cooler where he took a drink.
He was kept under surveillance and when he eventually walked past the cashier, he was stopped by security.
The drink was found hidden under his shirt. The police was called and he was arrested.
In his explanation to the police Faustine said, “I was thirsty so I took it to drink.”
When he appeared in court on Monday Faustine, in his own mitigation, told the court, “I had no money, I was in town all day. I am working at Appliance Plus with my uncle now…that’s my first job since returning to Dominica three years ago, I am sorry for my actions and I am begging the court not to send me to jail.”
However Magistrate Ossie Lewis did not take the matter lightly. “Why did you have to do such?” he asked. “I know your father and mother, you are embarrassing me.”
The magistrate told Faustine that he was just going to impose what he described as ‘a small fine.’
“I would be very happy, and most people would, if you have a turn around in your life because they know your mom and dad,” he said. “I will charge you a small fine of$100 to be paid by November 30, 2013 or in default 12 days in jail. You are to also pay compensation of $3.96 to Issa Trading by October 31, 2013 or in default one day in jail. That’s the best I can do for you ….you put yourself in that predicament.”
I want Ossie to get to know my parents-, just in case.
Kalunda mother should send him by Bonti Liverpool place. He understands those kinds of boys.
I have no tolerance whatsoever for thieves, whether in high or low places, but this guy seems to me to be not well and I actually feel sorry for him and for his parents who must be embarassed by his actions. I hope he seeks professional help.
I to know this family and make no mistake the boy is a thief. He has stolen from friends and neighbours. He sneaked into my house but I caught him and told him to leave my house. He Sneaks around peoples property looking for things to steal. He lucky the judge is a friend of his mum & dad.
Land of 365 rivers… people shouldn’t be buying water in Dominica.
Eph 4:28 The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need.
Taking with out asking is stealing, but at the same time a man is thirsty. For the love of God they could have dealt with the matter better than that. They could put him to work for the rest of the day, it would make up for more than the 3.96. And the judge he is heart less
alas. u have to shame MA Faustin and Mr. Faustin like that. After all, these people are so nice and quiet and disciplined.
Tell satan he is a liar
He frightened my wife a few weeks ago. She left her daughter’s bedroom to go to the kitchen and meet him in the corridor and shouted. He apologized for his action. We gave him a Sunday lunch and bus fare to get to Castle Comfort. I was very embarrassed myself. His parents are very helpful people. We need special care for such youngsters.
The Lord will Bless you and your familiy and give you more than what you have. You have a good heart and showed compassion to this gentleman.
I do not know him but from these actions it sounds to me like the gentleman is sick and needs some help.
““I was thirsty so I took it to drink.””
“Faustine, told the court, ““I had no money,” I am “sorry” for my actions and I am “begging” the court not to send me to jail.””
According to Magistrate Ossie Lewis, ““Why did you have to do such?”” ““I know your father and mother, you are embarrassing me.”” Magistrate Ossie, you do not judge based on personal relationship, you are supposed to judge based on the issue before you.
Imposing a $100 for a $3.95 drink is not “‘a small fine’”. 12 days in jail is a bit much too. Yes, you have to set an example, but there have been MOORE PRESSING MATTERS.
I, too, hope he turn his life around. At the same time, $100 for a $3.95 drink, or 12 DAYS in jail for the amount of LESS than an HOUR’s work.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE TO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY. DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT FEELS? I empathize with that young man; however, he has to learn how to ASK and not TAKE. They would not have given it to him anyway, but asking would be better.
There are always lessons to be learned. Do not have others make examples of you.
it’s just a shame to see such a talented athlete go that path. Kalunda coulod have just gone to his mother for a drink who was just as close to Issa.it is really a shame.
Sometimes thirst do not call for water; however, you are right, the store owner could have made him pay by some other means.
People also have to learn to respect.
By-the-way, this is in response to bias dca.
Remember too the man is not too mentally well.
read
Like kalunda going to bread all you comments.
bread
lol
Can u believe it. $3.96 and Issa taking that to court. They could have delt with that internally. Shame on Issa Trading.
Kalu My dawg….lol
If Roseau had a spot where people could go and get water freely this young man would not have been in such a mess.
Kalu, you may never see this message but you are always in my prayers, i have known you all my life and your Mum has been very good to me. I am in no position to judge you because we all find ourselves in predicaments that we have difficulty getting out of. My prayers be with you, your family and also with mine.
Things tight, man thirsty so man must drink…LOL
!
Somebody please tell mister put a red shirt and cap and go visit the RED CLINIC so some pocket change. We have created a dependent society and hance we see the results. But Change Must Come sooner rather than later.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
so ISSA seriously spent thousands of dollars in time and money to take a man to court, only to receive 3.96 in compensation? please tell me this was just to embaras Karlubda’s parents
Please don’t tell me…
all i can do is laugh. oh boy
It is a long time I had not heard about Ossie Lewis. Still around at Court?
This is another one who makes excuses for stealing. This one said he was thirsty. Is there no water in Dominica or in the vicinity where he resides or nearby? Water is good for you, better than a bottled drink.
Teach them a lesson. I hope he will not steal again and embarrass his family and yourself who also know them.
If he is thirsty, he could have asked the manager. It would be left to him to grant it or to refuse.
This magistrate will not make them escape so easily. Good for you Ossie!
I had a crush on you wi padner… you jus emaraass me so? Chewps…You not a stupid boy… bad decision…
No fear of life repercussions? Another store and they may not question you… Beat and throw outside, while you canna move. weh weh weh.
Don’t travel ehh.
If the magistrate didn’t know this guys mom n dad, he would have been given the real charge?? Smh…this country eh.
I don’t understand these people.
Ossie is a blessed magistrate.
It hurts to see such a talented, skillful young man go down that road. Kalu I will keep you in my prayers.
The man was hungry. If I was present at the supermarket, I would have paid the drink for the man.
Dominicans over the past 13 years have been very poor, and this is not unique to this man.
Can you see a pipe in Roseau land of 365 rivers pray for him
All I can do is laugh
me too
What’s so funny about that. You do the crime, do the time! Some people on’t get the chance to be so lucky.
Kalu when u thirsty drink water next time….i also can not believe issa calling police f a drink..let the man sweep the floor or something…what a waste of the court time
I thought of the same thing but this should teach him a lesson that he should not steal. If he allows him to go free he may do it again and elsewhere.
If u owned a business, u would not see the situation that way…
But how can Issa not call the police? If 500 people did that the businesses would die….SMH.a man was fined for stealing one coconut so….one drink should be the same…
theft is theft. no matter how small the act may seem. what is the difference between a man who steal an item valued at $5000 and one valued at $3.96?
or look at it another way, what if 50 people came to issa’s and stole an item valued at $3.96?
Does that still justify theft?
Hell No!
Do the crime! pay the fine or do the time!
That is all
You also give warnings, especially if the perpetrator apologizes.
If you thirsty, water is free in DA. Embarrassing your parents. shame on you
An 8oz bottle of water costs $3.00. How is that free? Free would be to go in the river.
who say water is free in Dominica