Newtown man jailed for theft of agricultural produce on State House lands

A show of deep regret and remorse was unable to save a 50 year-old unemployed man from a nine month jail sentence for theft and vagrancy at the compound of the State House.

Johnson Romain, of Newtown, appeared before Magistrate Michael Laudat on September 12, 2022, where he pleaded guilty to stealing twenty-eight (28) oranges valued at $45.00 and eleven (11) tangerines valued at $10.00, the property of the State House. He also pleaded guilty to wandering about on the said compound on September 10, 2022.

According to the facts presented to the court by Police Prosecutor Inspector Laville, on the aforementioned date about 1:20 a.m, Constable Abraham was on duty at the State House conducting patrols on the compound when he heard a suspicious noise on the eastern side of the premises. He went to the area and saw a male individual picking tangerines from the tree.

Romain was approached by the Officer and when questioned about his reason for committing the offense of theft and vagrancy, he responded, “Officer I don’t have nothing to eat, spare me please.”

A bag which Romain had in his possession was searched and 28 oranges and 11 tangerines were found. He was then informed that he was being arrested to which he replied, “Officer, I’m just trying to make money for my family.”

The Newtown man was then transported to the Roseau Police Station and later charged with theft and vagrancy.

At his court hearing, Romain, who was unrepresented, made an impassioned plea to the court on his own behalf.

According to the first time offender, on the night in question, he was under the influence of alcohol and deeply regrets his actions.

“I am 50 years old and first time I getting into them situation there. I know I don’t have to pick people things to survive because I have my garden in Giraudel so I could have done better than that. At my age, first time I coming before the court,” Romain explained.

The defendant further pleaded with the Magistrate to show some compassion for his three minor children who he maintains and not impose a custodial sentence.

“I have a 12, 8 and 4 year-old,” he told the court. “I feel sorry for my children, not even myself because they need me but I got carried away. Your Honor, I would like to beg for your leniency. This is not a habit of mine, thieving people’s things. I am a hardworking man and that night I just got carried away. This situation is very embarrassing  and I have learned from my mistake, so please, please, please consider me.”

However, in response, Magistrate Laudat reprimanded Romain for his actions.

“You must respect authority. The gate at the State House is not for you to jump over. Stay away from restricted areas. If you have an inclination to commit mischief when you are under the influence of alcohol, stay away from it,” Laudat admonished Romain.

The offense of theft of agricultural produce carries a penalty of $2,000.00 while vagrancy  holds a three month term of imprisonment.

Magistrate Laudat ordered the defendant to pay a fine of $1,500.00 forthwith for theft, in default, six months in jail. For the charge of vagrancy he was imprisoned for three months.

Romain was unable to pay the forthwith fine and as a result, he will be imprisoned for the next nine months.

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43 Comments

  1. September 16, 2022

    It was time they hold mister. Mister terrorizing de whole of roseau south stealing everybody agriculture. See where he end up. Good for him. A paro that there and mister dont have no children. Mister there lieing to de court.

  2. Mark
    September 16, 2022

    @Toto, it’s never about me. All these folks who are choosing to justify Mr. Romain’s action is actually doing him a disservice in that you’re sending him and the public at large, the wrong message. People should be told the truth about crime, that there is never a situation or circumstance to justify breaking the law. NEVER…
    I can go along with those persons who believe the punishment was excessive considering the crime but I just cannot support those individuals who believe his action was not a big deal.
    More power to those persons who don’t mind strangers wandering through their properties while they sleep looking for anything they can lay their hands on to steal and sell.
    I commend you’all for being so accommodating to those persons who would violate your space while you sleep.

    • Marie
      September 19, 2022

      The underlying issue here is a very simple one, in this day and age nobody in DA should have to steal food. Everybody should be well fed. Who’s fault is it that they aren’t? Most certainly not the bishops fault. He has got other responsibilities.

  3. AA
    September 15, 2022

    Set up a go fond me to help him pay the 1500 dollars.
    Show them that we can help in such a situation.

  4. Peggy Roberts
    September 15, 2022

    I am lost for words. This should not have gone to court. Is this justice? Oranges would have probably rotted
    Shane on Dominica justice

  5. Ibo France
    September 14, 2022

    To be poor is a crime. Imagine, procuring a job in Dominica is as difficult as finding water in a desert.

    This magistrate, in his exuberance to impress an audience of one, has done a hatchet job on this destitute, middle aged, first time offender.

    I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

  6. Truth Be Told
    September 14, 2022

    As a child growing up in Roseau, my friends and I would jump the wall and picked GluGlu in the President’s ground in Roseau, and Kennips at the Prime Minister’s residence at Morne Bruce, and the Police and Defence Force would help us as children to pick the fruits which filled our bags! How Dominica has changed!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • If we knew better
      September 16, 2022

      I remember playing cricket in the yard of the state house in the afternoon after school. Now it is like going to the whitehouse or buckingham palace. Armed guards everywhere.

  7. Truth Be Told
    September 14, 2022

    I was waiting to see the comments and public mood on this before I comment, and I am reassured that we Dominicans have a heart.
    Everything about this case saddens me because the man, his situation, destitution, unemployment, hunger, theft, arrest, police action, authorities prosecution, the court and imprisonment on behalf of the President of Dominica, represent for me a microcosm of Dominica today, and it is so sad!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  8. out of south city
    September 14, 2022

    Wow, wow!!!! We still have Colom on massa’s plantation in 2022,?? Chubby picked up one coconut from Nassief’s land at Geneva, in Grand Bay in the 70’s and he was sent to jail. That’s why he sang, “Pou yon coco.” The cycle continues and the court system that the Europeans instituted still exist. There is no mercy or pardon for the poor, unemployed and hungry but those who commit heinous crimes go scotch free because the laywers get bail money. Dominica’s system of government is so twisted that it’s a shame. Jimmy Cliff also sang, “suffering in the land…. the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer.” Can you imagine the president and wife living in a mansion while most of the population is trying to survive to make a living? A man’s worth is less than some oranges and tangerines!!!! Where are we heading, my people??

  9. out of south city
    September 14, 2022

    DNO, I submitted a comment yesterday but I have not seen it posted.
    Thanks

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  10. Lin clown
    September 14, 2022

    Mr.Laudat is a good man.28 oranges $45.00 that is less than $2.00 per orange.11 tangerines $10.00 less than $1.00 a tangerine.What kind of oranges and tangerines is that I agree it is dangerous to trespass on the state house property.He could have been shot dead by the police.Seeing the oranges and tangerines(exhibits) are perishable good,the police should make juice with them.One glass of each for the President.One glass of each for Mr.Laudat and one glass of each for the prosecuting officer.Mr.Laudat should not jail the man.But,again,I know people that know people.I wonder if Dr.Bwa- Banday took another holiday yesterday, to drink rum in his LAB at Mahaut?

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      September 16, 2022

      Kindergarten clown, nothing better is expected to come from you.
      I am not condoning trespassing and stealin. However, in this case the chastisement Laudaut gave the man was as good as sending man to jail
      Look, the police caught a damn thief in the act of extracting money from an ATM, he had more than three fake ATM cards on his person, that is an indication he is a hardened criminal, a professional thief who told the police he found the ATM cards in the garden.
      Any police officer who believes that lie would have to be a damn fool
      The worst of all is rather than the magistrate whom I believe have no training in law, does not as usual have a law degree because this bank robber dresses up in a suit in Dominica 90 degrees heat in baking heat, and they say he’s some personal trainer.
      The wicked magistrate gave him a slap on his risk, allowing to home rather than sentencing him to five years forthwith.
      So, you see in Dominica the odds are always against the poor.
      Now, liars has no…

  11. Rasta Pasta
    September 14, 2022

    Mr. Romain should definitely suffer the consequences for his actions! But this judgement penalizes his three children more.

    Chubby and Midnight Groovers said it best in this powerful statement about social and legal injustice in Dominica:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q8o1S9d8bk

  12. elizabethlxavier
    September 14, 2022

    The love of Money is the root of all evil. Hear this man claiming to have land, where he can cultivate his own products to sell them, so why did he have to trespass, to steal products of which he planned to cell them, to put money in his pocket? Not to mention his disrespect for Government Property.

    Hypocritically, he is talking about having children to support, did he not realize that the money he used to pay for the alcoholic drinks, could buy some meat and rice to feed them a meal or two? Or did he plan to make some easy money to buy more alcoholic drinks for himself?

    Mankind fails to realized that they have a God above who is watching their misdeeds, the reason they get caught, at His appointed time.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      September 16, 2022

      Elizabeth, you quoted the Bible wrong. The Bible said “for the love of money is the root of all evil.”
      Check the Bible for verbatim.

    • Marsha
      September 19, 2022

      Your CM is a bad example for all of them. He is the biggest lover of money. He even stealing from your country. What say YOU now, Hypocrite?

  13. The Darkness
    September 14, 2022

    I do hope we all realize the direction in which our country is going. This will be a regular occurrence, as less and less resources are becoming available.

    I believe harsh penalties should be more focused on more pressing crimes, like rape for example, or insider trading. Heck white collar crimes and borgar, that our cops find themselves involved in too.

  14. Hannah Clarendon
    September 14, 2022

    Why was the hungry man not given a job to tend the garden?

    • Peter
      September 19, 2022

      Put the fox in charge of the fowl house? Surely not!

  15. DNO Reader
    September 13, 2022

    I want to use so many **** expletives all now so..
    That is just wickedness from this so-called magistrate..all he doing is trying to impress his boss so that he can get an extension on his contract..
    It’s so sad to see that when children of “poor people” get into “power” they turn around and abuse other poor people..like the same way a young boy who grew up watching his father beat up his mother ends up beating up his wife..
    This whole “justice system” in our little Dominica is really just basically adding “insult to injury”

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  16. DNO
    September 13, 2022

    I want to use so many **** expletives all now so..
    That is just wickedness from this so-called magistrate..all he doing is trying to impress his boss so that he can get an extension on his contract..
    It’s so sad to see that when children of “poor people” get into “power” they turn around and abuse other poor people..like the same way a young boy who grew up watching his father beat up his mother ends up beating up his wife..
    This whole “justice system” in our little Dominica is really just basically adding “insult to injury”

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  17. Roger Burnett
    September 13, 2022

    This beggars belief.

    A nine month jail sentence for stealing a bag of oranges and tangerines from the grounds of the affluent State House. That being the first offence for a remorseful 50 years old unemployed man with three children to care for.

    At the very least, the President’s pardon would be appropriate.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 0
    • If we knew better
      September 16, 2022

      a Pardon with a bag of fruits would have won the hearts of many.

  18. Petro
    September 13, 2022

    Obviously if he had no money to buy food to eat like he says it would be impossible for him to pay the fine. But 9 months is a bit lengthy. Very sad.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
    • Francisco Etinne-Dods Telemaque
      September 15, 2022

      I don’t know if you are the authentic Petro; (I believe you might be able to talk to big brother, if you are the person I know) to see if they could set aside the sentence and release the man from jail.
      It is pitiful that any person in Dominica should go to jail for picking someone some oranges, or talking them from off the ground to eat. I mean they said the value of whatever he is convicted of stealing is less than fifty dollars,if that is divided by 28 they cost one dollar and a few cents each.
      These things usually fall to the ground and rotting.
      The Bible speaks of Principalities an powers, and wickedness in high places.
      This is it, Ladau is a wicked evil man!
      There are people who committed murder in Dominica and are out walking 🚶‍♀️the streets, while a hungry sits in jail because someone SOB who never attended law school doesn’t have a law degree has the power to do so. What about the politicians whom all thief government land and money buying thing’s that their…

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        September 15, 2022

        Yes there are politicians in power right now who’s paid salary even if they save all the money paid to them to the day they die could not pay for their accumulated assets.
        That’s the Dominica we have today.
        The very poor and the hungry goes to jail for struggling to stay alive.
        The ministers of government thief anything that is not nail down and they are respected.
        Lauda talked a bunch of crap to the poor soul trying to prove to his handlers Roosevelt and the others that he is protecting governmentproperty.
        Somebody needs to remind such clowns that the people of a country are the Government.
        Unfortunately the people employ these wast of time crooks and allow them to Steal get rich rather than voting them out!

  19. Mark
    September 13, 2022

    Someone entered my property at Wall House in July and stole all my avocados, about 200, didn’t leave 1 for the owner. I ended up having to purchase avocados at the market place. In this instance, this bold face THIEF, a grown 50 year old man, not a 15 year old boy, was caught stealing at 1:20am, not because he was hungry but rather stealing to sell the goods. Shame on him considering he has three young children at home. Hope he learns a lesson.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 21
    • Toto
      September 15, 2022

      I know Mark but please stop thinking about yourself for once man.

  20. derp
    September 13, 2022

    So what about all those vagrants everyday harassing people in Roseau, allu not charging them too

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  21. L C Matthew
    September 13, 2022

    We let serious crimes continue but punish the destitute who are in their current state as a result of the systematic corruption and crimes in the high places. The most this guy should get is to clean the grounds of the state house for maybe a month and some class in civics. It cost the state more to go through court and have this guy in jail.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 0
  22. L C Matthew
    September 13, 2022

    “he pleaded guilty to stealing twenty-eight (28) oranges valued at $45.00 and eleven (11) tangerines valued at $10.00, the property of the State House. The offense of theft of agricultural produce carries a penalty of $2,000.00 while vagrancy holds a three month term of imprisonment.”
    I would like to know who is practicing agriculture on State/Public property and how much affect that this guy had on the revenues that could be derived from sale. First of all this place belongs to the citizens of dominica and the fruits should be donated or made free.
    Secondly if that causes you to get jail time what about the folks who got CBI monies and is yet to pay state? What about the labour division personal caught using state resources to pocket tens of thousands, what about the folks who get paid to represent but do not record as revenue to be taxes. The list goes on. Laudat is demonstrating his capacity as a magistrate. Some jokers running that place. Dominica meed a purge from top.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
  23. out of south city
    September 13, 2022

    This is preposterous!! An unemployed man, pleading for mercy and regrets what he has done is sentenced to nine months in prison, while there are criminals committing heinous crimes, and are walking free because they have money for bail. The court system in Dominica is not for the poor and needy but for those who can present bail money since that’s what most of the lawyers want. It is such a shame how the underprivileged suffer in Dominica. The same laws that the slave masters instituted, still prival and we say we are independent. The brother pleaded on the behalf of his children but he was denied. Fruits are all on the grounds and rottening and this man, on his first offence, does not get pardoned. I am not condoning what he did but we need to examine the situation. Maybe if he had money for bail he would go free. The grounds of the state house is more important than his life? I guess we are still protecting it for the dead queen. Things are really screwed up in Dominica.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0
  24. SN
    September 13, 2022

    This is excessive punishment. Citrus stolen is worth $55 but the man is asked to pay $1500. He can’t pay and is jailed for 9 months. Rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers get more lenient sentences. How could that be?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 0
  25. Come again
    September 13, 2022

    $45 for 28 oranges? Were they gold plaited? I will not condone stealing but the mere fact he stole fruits to survive and is getting 9 months jail. Let me see how my people going take that piece of news.

    28 Oranges and 11 tangerines. What boy.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  26. Iamanidiot
    September 13, 2022

    That’s sad, But you can see the type of people the law have strength on. The man 50 years old, taking two oranges and he getting nine months? The bible says do not suffer a thief if he steals to eat, but if he is caught he shall pay double, that’s what? 110? Call me and i’ll pay the 110 for him. He’s 50 years and you’re charging him 1500 for couple oranges and he’s 50 with three children, you think if he had 1500 he’d be stealing oranges? but had it been a child molester the court would have said “write a letter about his good behavior in the community and warn him not to do it again.” The police officer aself, two little thing the man picking to eat the man asking you for a little mercy, that you arrested the man for? The man wasn’t tampering with the state house or touching cameras or doing malice. Is the poor man the law have strength on, this judgement is inhumane to say the least.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 0
  27. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    September 13, 2022

    “where he pleaded guilty to stealing twenty-eight (28) oranges valued at $45.00”
    This is shameful, and I do not mean shameful because the man stole the oranges! It is shameful that Laudat sent a man to jail in a place like Dominica for stealing a few oranges!
    Such were grew wild in the hills of Wesley when I was a kid; they ripe and fell off the trees where they were not even picked up and eaten; even on the Londonderry Estate, and the Colonial Demonstration Station they called Center; next to the Londonderry River.
    Unemployed people gets hungry too; and penniless without a dime to buy food his only alternative might be to pick the oranges to eat and survive! Nobody in the twenty-first century in Dominica should have to depend on neighbors for help; with something to eat; when Savarin, Roosevelt and his passports salesmen and women makes millions of dollars per year.
    Where there are no employment in a country there will forever be activities involve stealing for survival!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
  28. Justice
    September 13, 2022

    It’s not OK on state property but it’s OK on the rest of the population. Praedial larceny is on the books. When will the Police do some WORK and enforce the law? What the Court does is not the issue, take up the matter. One of those days the Court will finally realize that they have a duty to the public.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  29. Juanita
    September 13, 2022

    Psychologists posit that there are psychiatric and psychological injuries and stressors caused by Covid-19. This causes people to do things and act in ways they’ve never done before. The guy is a first time offender with 3 young children. Did the court request a psychosocial on him? Did he ever have Covid and how has it affected him? How does he support himself and the children? How profitable is his garden? There is never any suitable excuse for criminal behavior, but 9 months jail for allegedly stealing 28 oranges and 11 tangerines by a first time offender seems a bit harsh. It’s almost reminiscent of the ever popular local “Coco Sec” song where a guy was sent to jail for taking a coconut on an estate. A wise person once said to the effect that petty thieves are sent to jail, while great thieves get elected to parliament. If we look we will find them.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 0
  30. Legion
    September 13, 2022

    So a man is sentenced to 9 months in prison for stealing $55.00 worth of state agricultural produce while another man steal billions of state dollars and sits at the head of government. The justice system in Dominica is a big joke 😂😂😂😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  31. Toto
    September 13, 2022

    Boy, judged, sentenced and jailed within three days. How efficient the wheels of justice turn In Dominica if you pinch from those in authority. Of course the man should not steal, nobody should but would a caution not have been better. The man had a clean record and considering his three young children I would think some compassion would be more appropriate. I wonder if that magistrate has a heart or just wants to show how tough he is on malaway.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
  32. weh
    September 13, 2022

    How come politicans are not being jailed for theft of state funds?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0
  33. If we knew better
    September 13, 2022

    ABSOLUTE SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS. The man is destitute and hungry. A state owned property has lush fruits, and the man is charged.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0

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