Three Bridgetown men, who beat a Cedars villager and stole his wallet and EC$350 during an attack last June, received suspended prison sentences at the Serious Offences Court in Kingstown on Monday.
Addressing the men, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias told one that she wanted to give him a chance to continue his education, another, an opportunity to maintain his job, and told the third — who has a previous conviction — that he should use the chance to do something meaningful with his life.
Additionally, she pointed out to Leron Christopher, 18, that he would have had to pay EC$1,000 or go to jail had a bond imposed on him in December 2017not come into effect after the commission of the crime for which he pleaded guilty on Monday.
Christopher, Jamel John, 17, and Jared Clarke, 20 were initially charged with robbery and a preliminary inquiry had already begun in the matter.
However, on Monday, they pleaded guilty to the lesser charge, that on June 16, 2017, they stole one black wallet, value EC$30, containing EC$350, the property of Carlyle Walker of Cedars.
The court heard that Walker normally walks from Cedars to Biabou to attend karaoke at his sister’s shop.
About 10:45 p.m. on June 16 last year, Walker was making one such trip when he saw the men who would attack him sitting near Harris Cain’s shop in Biabou.
He didn’t pay them any attention and continued walking.
When Walker got close to the Pentecostal Church in Bridgetown, he felt a lash to the lower part of his back and he fell to the ground.
Walker became fearful for his life and asked his attackers to stop beating him and asked them what they wanted.
Christopher put his hand in Walker’s pocket and took out his wallet, which contained EC$350.
While Christopher was doing so, Walker recognized him.
After taking the wallet, the assailants ran.
Walker had sustained injuries about his body and at about 11:45 p.m., went to the Biabou Police Station and reported the matter.
Police Constable Shemron Roberts launched an investigation and the accused men later took him under the bridge in Biabou, where they removed a stone from under the water and handed over the black wallet to the police officer.
In mitigation, John told the court that it was his first offence and that he had been expelled from school but was trying to continue his education at the Georgetown Technical Institute.
Clarke said it was also his first offence and promised that it would never happen again.
He said that he had since secured a job in construction and would pay a fine.
The magistrate ordered the men to compensate Walker in the sum of EC$116.60 each by April 30 or spend one month in jail.
Browne Matthias told the men that she was imposing upon them suspended prison sentences of six months.
“The onus is on you to take the second chance you have been given,” she said.
What’s wrong with these young people, they want the fast life, but crying when they gets in front of a Magistrate etc.
This is outrageous by this judge and she needs her license taken away to practice law.. This is so very troubling. First thing why only charge with robbery when they also assault the elderly man. It should be assault and robbery possibly even attempted murder because of the object that he was hit with. Also if you want to give a second chance with a suspended sentence it should be at least four times the term they could have spent in jail because this type of sentence should be to act as a deterrent to commit another act and if the offenders are remorseful, which they are not.
No wonder crime among youths will continue to rise , its because magistrates like her that empower and embolden them by rewarding them with suspended sentences and short terms.
CRAZINESS !!!!!
Such a hard job for our Judicial Officers daily. The options of rehabilitation, second chances, confinement or sending a strong message must be hard decisions to make.
I DO NOT ENVY ANY MAGISTRATE OR JUDGE IN SVG!!!
Continue to act in good faith and to uphold and revolutionize the stigma of the judicial system.
I hear you but given the current climate of crime especially among out youths in SVG at this particular moment it’s important to send a strong message. Anything less is a disservice to law abiding citizens.
Wasn’t there an outcry for the $10 dasheen sentence?
The public will never be pleased.
Hence I said, I dont envy my colleagues.
All,I want to lock you up.