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Mother collapses in court as son sent to prison

Rondell Calistire was today before the court jointly charged with Royanston Arrington for the offenses of burglary and criminal damage. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – It was an emotional moment in the Magistrate’s Court at John’s Hole, Tortola today February 27, 2015 when a begging mother collapsed before Magistrate Ayana Baptiste-DaBreo.

This happened as the woman rose to her feet for a second time to plead with the magistrate not to give her son Rondell Calistire a prison sentence as he was her only source of support.

The woman told the court how sorry she was about her son’s acts and that she was in no way condoning such behaviour. The court heard that she was due for a surgery as she has a spinal condition and she was the lone parent of her son in the territory.

Calistire was today before the court jointly charged with Royanston Arrington for the offenses of burglary and criminal damage.

Calistire had also pleaded with the magistrate to be lenient with him as he has a 5 month old baby. He has begged that the magistrate put him on probation if possible, but that did not work with the magistrate who told him and the co-defendant they knew of the penalty for such offenses prior to committing them.

Magistrate Baptiste-DaBreo told the mother that she was not un-sympathetic with what is happening in society with the youths of today but insisted that a strong message must be sent and that the society must be protected from such persons.

The man was slapped with a sentence of 18 months imprisonment for the burglary offense and 6 months for the criminal damage. In addition he is required to pay the virtual complainant, owners of Trellis Bay Market, the sum of $600 for the damage to property or if in default 2 months imprisonment.

Co-defendant Arrington on the other hand was sentenced to 36 months for burglary and 12 months for criminal damage. He too is required to pay compensation to the VC in the sum of $600 or in default 2 months imprisonment.

In the case of Arrington it was taken into consideration that he had two previous records against his name. On one occasion he was committed to community service while in the other instance he was sentenced to two years imprisonment. The magistrate told him that it was obvious that he had not learnt his lesson.

He told the magistrate that if he had gotten a proper job after returning to society he would not have been before her again today.

22 Responses to “Mother collapses in court as son sent to prison”

  • Joc (27/02/2015, 15:23) Like (31) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am so tired of these parents depending on their children for all their support. This isnt fair to the child. Also, she has to understand that he committed a crime what did she expect to happen? If he was let go then all persons committing crimes will have to be let go.
    • tf?? (27/02/2015, 20:56) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
      U sound like the prodigal A$$..the woman is up for a major surgery..she dont have a husband...and no other children...why your ass dont go support her then??
      • .Position (28/02/2015, 14:44) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
        She should return to her homeland where the cost of living is less and give the BVI a relief from her dependency . And she is being supported by society. Her son who she" raised" improperly is now a scar on the BVI. In all probability, his 5 month old son will walk in Daddy's shoes.
        Most likely she will not pay her medical bill. Too many toomany like this family are here burdening and changing the once good character of the BVI.
        • um (02/03/2015, 07:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          don't pass judgment like that man, you raise your children the best way you know how but you don't control their minds when they get big, young people today want everything in the fast lane and it is enticing to them, am sure she tried her best as a single mom.
    • Lawman (28/02/2015, 21:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @joc, I agree with you. The boy is a trouble maker and the mother fully well aware of it. They come here and bring their bad children along and they come and recking havoc in the place.
  • idk (27/02/2015, 15:28) Like (10) Dislike (20) Reply
    Thats cold man..What happen to the break for first time offenders?
    • Understand this (27/02/2015, 20:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      oh break for first time, till he hit your house right? we must let these youths know that they cannot continue to do this, he will not die, hopefully he can sit in balsalm ghut and consider his actions.
      • Ddp (02/03/2015, 07:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Hear wat u said..... Hopefully... No guarantee that prison will make them learn..... Your sin aint better than his own you know... We the society talking foolish talk on the young man..... Long ago we were helping each other even if it wasn't ur child.... Bloggers stop trying to eliminate the other Caribbean folks... They have rude kids just like us hear.... Yall just mad they take the jobs that we tolians don't want n make ends meet......... God is in control
        • LISTEN UP (02/03/2015, 11:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Tolians need to give the jobs they dont want to folks from other countries wh are more civil, take responsibility and whose offsprings are not hoodlums.
          These "other" caribbean folks are only fit to live with each other. They need to be restricted to their countries like assylums until they deal with their jungle like issues.
          An example
          There are zero filipinos in balsum and no white kids.
          The locks we now have to use are to keep out the human predators from up de islun.
    • Yh (28/02/2015, 14:49) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Wa happen to the break... Those judges dont live in reality
  • yes (27/02/2015, 15:32) Like (42) Dislike (3) Reply
    The shop owner faint away when he came to his store to open up and saw the door damaged and almost $1K in items gone. Faint for faint aint too bad, it's a draw now.
  • @yes (27/02/2015, 15:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just fell in love. ..With your comment
  • joe (27/02/2015, 16:03) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is the price mothers have to pay ,real pressure sons behave yourselves don't send your mothers to an early grave.
  • case closed (27/02/2015, 17:07) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Meanwhile, two kids from well-to do families got caught with a fire arm, and led police on a chase endangering public safety in the process; they got away with a slap on the wrist. Not saying these kids should not be punished for their wrong doings, but its is clear that there is some flagrant disproportionate sentencing guidelines being used in this place.
  • wize up (27/02/2015, 17:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    crime & punishment go hand-in-hand; don't do the crime if you are not willing to do the time
  • egg face (27/02/2015, 19:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    sad story very stay
  • @case closed! (27/02/2015, 21:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    I was just about to type the exact same thing..not so direct as to a specific case... but individuals who have a little name in society who commit worse crimes than these end up walking free sometimes with things like "community services and the parents pay back any damage done.... but those who name dont hold no weigght hmph, the fat lady sing for them.......The F...ed Up System!

  • @case closed (28/02/2015, 12:45) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    There is no comparison between families of the BVI who, as history will confirm, contributed much
    to the BVI that is now a haven for these unwelcome blight, whose only contribution is their innate culture of crime.
    The real inequity is that he will be housed free of charge for $30,000 yearly,while the BVI is need of funds to construct and staff a dwelling for well deserving senior citizens who are in need.











































  • tretretrete (02/03/2015, 11:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought island people was for island people. Them always up and down saying that tolans tearing down tolans. But which magistrate let off 2 locals and canned 2 islos?
  • Ok Then! (03/03/2015, 11:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I notice these judges like to send "strong messages" by giving out prison time. OK... BUT why not make an example out of the right ones too?? Like the ones with big family name and parents in high places? They seem to be above the Law.. getting slapped with fines but never any jail time..
  • im telling you (07/03/2015, 22:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ok then i agree with you on that.. they does know who to gave it to or pick on to teach lesson


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