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3 looters freed after completing 300 hours of community service

Three of the seven charged with burglary in the BVI Communications looting incident have been freed after completing 300 hours of community service. The name or photo of the minor, a female, is not being released. Photos: RVIPF
BVI Communications in Port Purcell, Tortola, was one of the stores looted after Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
BVI Communications in Port Purcell, Tortola, was one of the stores looted after Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Seven persons who were not spared the disciplinary pangs of the justice system after being caught looting from businesses, post Hurricane Irma, had another day in the Magistrate’s Court on December 8, 2017.

Three of the accused are now free while the others are on the hang still.

The seven, men and women, were previously arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court and were committed to 300 hours of community services, which included working at the Magistrate’s Court compound, private residents, streets across the territory, among other places.

However, three of the seven pleaded guilty of the charge of burglarising BVI Communications on September 20, 2017. They are Triston Richardson, 24; Kevin Stevens, 22; and Mekell Delpleche, 22. When they appeared in court on December 8, 2017 they were commended by Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste-DaBreo for a job well done as she told the court she was impressed with the level of work they did.

The three who had pleaded guilty were given the option of doing the community service or paying a fine of $3,000.

However, Dwayne Peters, 34; Montgomery Butler, 50; James Watson, 57; and a minor, who all pleaded not guilty, were also committed to the 300 community service hours and received the same compliments from the magistrates but they are yet to know if they will be committed to stand trial when they are back in court on January 19, 2018.

Port Purcell thieves

Meanwhile, police continue to receive the support of business owners and the public in bringing to justice persons who have been committing theft post hurricanes Irma and Maria. Most recently, an employer of a prominent Port Purcell business pulled the covers off two male employees who stole from the business.

This news site can confirm that the two will soon have their day in the court of law for allegedly stealing phones, tablets and video games.

Based on the facts in the hands of the Royal Virgin Islands Police force (RVIPF), when the employer was informed that the items were missing, a report was filed with the police and CCTV footage fingering the culprits.

The homes of the men were then visited and some of the items were found. The accused were then taken into custody and charged.

17 Responses to “3 looters freed after completing 300 hours of community service”

  • Inez (10/12/2017, 11:06) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    So glad those who were caught on camera got their just desserts. I too have cameras up and will press charges on anyone, family especially who are always pretending they are righteous and we have helped numerous times.
  • hypocrites (10/12/2017, 11:12) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Community service???? what the hell why didn't the courts order them to pay back the store owners. These people stole and they were even other looters who were threatening store owners with violence if they try to stop them. The next time a robber or house breaker stands in front of the law are they going to be sentenced to community service.

    What is wrong with this country. People have been deported incarcerated and more severely punish for lesser crimes. This is Bull Sh..t community services you would think they stole the chalk from the classroom and getting detention.
  • paul p (10/12/2017, 12:00) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    what about all the others that was looting this cannot be justice
  • ... (10/12/2017, 12:12) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    I hate it when te BVI thinks test were the only people looting we need some "redefining"
  • Dragon (10/12/2017, 12:43) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Never said this before but send the non belongers home. That stole from our people when they were at their lowest and should not be living among us. Community service my a**.
  • not enough (10/12/2017, 12:49) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    They got off to easy. Those theifs did not learn their lesson. If given the chance. they will do it again. A thief is a thief.
  • See (10/12/2017, 13:37) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    PATHETIC PATHETIC weak justice . Looting is the lowest form of life . Most of the looting had nothing to do with food or water. Just low lifes taking advantage . How about 10 years prison ? Maybe you would not see any more looting . And for those with weapons .. machete , etc ... add another 5 years . I agree non belongers kicked out ... We need to stop all the BS crime in our country . Please someone show some guts before we have vigilantes in the streets !
  • wize up (10/12/2017, 15:08) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have no clue what taken but who took them should be made to replace every item they took along with repairing any damaged property: community service is for school children: the majority of them will be the very same thing again if and when the opportunity arises: what community service buy back what them stole; repair all damages and compensate the business owner for the time and days they were unable to conduct business(set of fu(&!N& theaves)
  • So true (10/12/2017, 15:43) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    @See, correct 100%. More like bottom feeders. Now we the lawabiding public have to pay more in the stores because of a few greedy stupid people.Community service my A##.
  • See (10/12/2017, 17:51) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    comnending looters for a job well done !! Have the judges lost their fuc- - ng minds ?? God help us all . What about the hard working people who were ROBBED by these low lifes ???? Community service ??? WTF !!
  • faces (10/12/2017, 17:55) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The faces of these thieves are pitiful. You see these people daily so you never know they are bad until something like this shows up. I will always have my guard up now. The older ones are lifetime criminals because you don’t get become a theif overnight. SMH
  • Bees nest (10/12/2017, 19:50) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Community service my A==, one set of mooching sun dried low class bums. Stealing from people at their most low time. Look at their damn. faces looking like rag down haggerstown.
  • Pitbull (10/12/2017, 20:02) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Their pictures should be put up in every business with a sign saying: not allowed in my business. They should also be given a month to repay for all the items they stole or face a year in jail. You get caught with a joint and they lock you up, those fools stole and they got a slap and dap on the wrist.
  • believe me (10/12/2017, 20:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are going to do it again or plotting to do it again. Community service? Nawww, they got away tooooo easy.
  • look at that (11/12/2017, 04:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Six male pigs and one female piglet went on a looting spree, stole and receive blue ribbons, apple pie and community service from the judge. I guess it pays to be a thief in this County.
  • Why (11/12/2017, 08:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is it that some got another chance and others didn't?a
  • NezRez (11/12/2017, 09:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Family and so called friends have stolen from us many times , no more. We saw them on camera, confronted them and didn’t press charges. No more, they will now go to JAIL!!! Done with these low life fools for good.


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