Magistrate Michael Laudat has imposed an additional six-month jail sentence against 19-year-old Christon Tavernier of Kingshill who escaped confinement at the Dominica State Prison. The charge of the police is that, on January 20, 2024, at Stock Farm, being a person in lawful confinement Tavernier escaped custody before the expiration of his term of imprisonment. The 19-year-old who was convicted in September 2023 for theft and wounding and sentenced to three years imprisonment escaped four months into his sentence.
According to the facts of the case, Tavernier, who was employed on the farm at the prison located within the northern compound of the facility, executed his escape around 12:30 p.m. on the aforementioned date. He evaded security by leaping over a fence, darting through the surrounding bushes, and successfully absconding from custody.
Following a five-day search for the escapee, Tavernier was apprehended on January 25, 2024, at about 3:00 p.m. by the Mahaut police and returned to the Dominica State Prison. At the onset of the investigation, the police investigator sought and obtained an “order to bring up prisoner” from the court. Tavernier was subsequently removed from the prison and transported to the Criminal Investigation Department, where he underwent a written interview.
Throughout the investigation, Tavernier was escorted back to the prison, where he guided the officer to the location of his escape. Upon completion of the investigation, the charge was preferred against him. Unrepresented at Court, the defendant put forward a plea in mitigation on his behalf informing the Court that he escaped due to heightened stress and discomfort within the environment.
“I have plenty things on my mind,” he told presiding magistrate Michael Laudat. “Them man up there pressuring me too much.”
He further attributed a feeling of neglect by his family for his actions.
“Four months I up there and nobody not checking me or coming to see me. I am a young man and even doh I have my ways but my people could come and see me.”
He continued, “I really feeling the pressure and I couldn’t take it again so I just run out on them man.”
The maximum penalty for the offence of escaping lawful confinement is a term of imprisonment of one year. In handing down his decision, Magistrate Laudat conveyed to the defendant that his options were limited, and he was compelled to impose an additional term of imprisonment.
He then imposed an additional six-month sentence against Tavernier to run consecutively with his three-year sentence. During the span of one month, Tavernier is the third prisoner to escape custody at the State prison. Dorian Dailey, of Grand Fond, convicted of manslaughter for the death of his father was the first to escape on January 3, 2024.
He was apprehended six days later and brought before the Court, where he received an additional 12-month imprisonment term to be served concurrently with his existing sentence of 28 years, 9 months, and 22 days imposed by the High Court for his conviction of manslaughter.
The second escapee, Abraham “Spanish” Senhouse is still being sought by the police. Senhouse who was awaiting trial on charges of theft, managed to evade confinement despite being remanded since October 5, 2023.
Whatsoever u do to the least of your brothers that you so unto the lord. I hear a young kid pleading for help.
What was the height of that fence? The kid looks like he has some talent. I suggest you guys get some high jump equipment so the guy can practice. if he jumped over a prison fence he has Olympic potential. his has the next 3 years to train steady so he can represent Dominica when he get off and hopefully find some purpose in his life. just maybe we can help him have a story of redemption and upliftment. He is only 19 and has lots of life ahead. let’s see who we are as a country.
AMEN AGREED 100%
And while we are at it getting the “kid” his “high jump equipment”, let’s not forget to get him a personal trainer and a nutritionist. FELLA, the “kid” is in prison for “thiefing and wounding” so quit this BS. He is not at some resort.
This is the kind of nonsense I see that has society all screwed up. We don’t seem to be able to seriously deal with the criminal elements amongst us. It’s almost like we’re on the side of the criminals. The criminals see our weaknesses, exploit them and take advantage of the law abiding citizens.
Wake up man, wake up.