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Man tells court stress of girlfriend's bills leads him to drink

- Accused of stealing cellphone; says he was drunk when he took phone
Merlin Ceasor (right) being escorted by police officers at the Magistrate's Court on November 1, 2013. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Merlin Ceasor, 30, told the Magistrate’s Court that he mistakenly took up another man’s phone because he was drunk at the time and thought the phone was his.

The Dominican Republic national pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft when he appeared before the court yesterday, November 1, 2013. He was unrepresented at the time.

“I drink a lot on a stressful day,” Ceasor told the court. He also disclosed that he had stopped smoking marijuana and currently does farming, washes cars and does other odd jobs to earn a living.

The defendant explained that he lives in a ‘shanty’ at East End and is the sole breadwinner for his girlfriend. According to the defendant, the stress of his girlfriend’s bills also leads him to drink. He further told the court that he does not have any mental health issues and is not currently on any medication for mental health problems.

According to the allegations, the virtual complainant (VC) was at home washing on September 8, 2013 when Ceasor came and asked for one dollar.

The VC reportedly had a Samsung phone valued at $200 on a table in his house at the time. He reportedly gave the defendant two dollars and Ceasor left.

The allegations further stated that the VC later found out that the defendant allegedly took his phone.

A report was then made to the police about the incident and a search was made for the defendant. He was met and informed of the report and cautioned before allegedly telling officers that he didn’t know the phone was his. He reportedly told officers, “Yes Officer, I take the phone. I thought it was my phone. I was a bit drunk.”

The phone was recovered and photos taken before it was returned to the VC; the defendant was then arrested on suspicion of theft.

Ceasor reportedly went voluntarily to the Road Town Police Station on October 30, 2013 where the allegations were read to him and he was cautioned before an audio/visual interview was conducted with police.

He was placed on $15,000 bail with one signed surety and asked to report to the East End Police Station three times per week. He was also instructed to attend the Sandy Lane Centre for treatment and counselling.

Ceasor will return to court on January 21, 2014.

15 Responses to “Man tells court stress of girlfriend's bills leads him to drink”

  • for life (02/11/2013, 10:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    the story of many of us
  • public nuisance (02/11/2013, 10:46) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply

    Crack bills wha gah he so stressed? Deport he r"$$ back santo domingo.

  • CrucianDIVA (02/11/2013, 11:19) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply

    What girlfriend? The other day somebody put some blows on him 'til he end up with his arm in a sling and a black eye. Try take him off the street before he messes with the wrong person.

    • wise up (02/11/2013, 19:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      DIVA; what you saying-the guy is jail bate
      • CrucianDIVA (02/11/2013, 22:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Bwoy me ain't want he go deh but he's a piece ah wuk. Knockin' bout. But every time I see him walking (and he got a swag walk more than Obama), he getting blows. They need to take him off the road.
        • wise up (03/11/2013, 13:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          DIVA; may be his gandfather from the VI so we just have to live with him.....loads of documented workers are out of work but still in the BVI causing a Fu@$ !!!!!!
          • CrucianDIVA (03/11/2013, 13:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            WU; I hope my moniker isn't throwing you off...I'm fully aware.
  • Never (02/11/2013, 13:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    well saw hope the rest of us do not have to restort to dat!
  • Liat 521 (02/11/2013, 16:16) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    you know my line just deport he backside
  • doc (02/11/2013, 19:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of we street out under this government
  • YOU (03/11/2013, 11:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    shut the hell up with that doc. your small mine is what have you the way you are.
  • M (03/11/2013, 17:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I ain't know Merlin got girlfiend. I wish I had the money to help your brothers get you out of here for good. You need some serious help and flush out. What really do our Sandy lane Center do for people of this nature?
  • Sandy lane (04/11/2013, 11:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing much
  • wow (04/11/2013, 15:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is a VI man, hear these fools bur Deport. SMH, people here always quick to judge and point fingers. He and his brothers lost their mom and dad at a very young ago. He is just a victim of poor decisions and circumstances..... I hope somebody can help the man. it's a good rehab overseas he need and people to have his back.
  • Shallow (05/11/2013, 13:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do we in the bvi always think of deportation I mean come on now the earth is the lords and the fullness there in if we don't change or attidue there will be a rude awaking for us in this country can't we see the world is changing if we take time out and read the holy words we would be a better nation one day The Lord will come let me see how many of us that will tell be his deported we bvi islanders need to be watchful and mindful


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