-
by pltm
(PLTM) - Magistrate Ayanna Dabreo today, December 8, commended a number of persons charged with burglary, in relation to looting activities during Hurricane Maria. Dabreo said the accused persons did a good job while serving community service, which was ordered by the court.
The seven persons who appeared in court today were charged with burglary after police found them inside BVI Communications on September 20, the day Hurricane Maria impacted the Territory.
Three of those persons, Triston Richardson, Kevon Stevens and Mekell Delpleche, were sentenced to 300 hours of community service after pleading guilty.
The other four persons, Montgomery Butler, Dwayne Peters, James Watson and a female minor, didn’t plead guilty but got 300 hours of community service as a condition of bail.
All seven showed up in court today because most had completed their hours and were awaiting the court’s next decision.
The three who pleaded guilty were told they did not have to return to court as their community service sentence was served. The other four who pleaded not guilty were told to return to court on January 19, 2018, to hear whether their matter will proceed to trial.
However, before releasing them, Magistrate Dabreo commended all of them, adding that they all showed “strong character” while serving the community service sentence.
Dabreo pointed out that “persons who looted did massive destruction to the country”, but said the accused individuals were committed to their assigned tasks and contributed much to the rebuilding efforts of the BVI.
She explained that some of the persons were assigned to help with clearing debris at the Magistrate's Court in Road Town and did tremendous work there. She said others were assigned to clean-up activities at primary schools, while others assisted persons with rebuilding their homes.
According to Dabreo, some of accused persons continued to help even after their hours were completed.
She told the four persons who are to return to court next year that she hopes their hard work and commitment will be taken into consideration if the matter goes to trial.
Looting activities after the September hurricanes severely crippled many businesses in the BVI.
Several persons, including a cop, are now before the court in relation to the illegal activities.
The authorities have been criticized for giving community service to those charged with the crime, as persons say the sentence does not equate to the severe damage caused by the crime.
