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Shamoii A. Dagou out on bail

- youth was sentenced to 2 years jail for looting TV in aftermath of Hurricane Irma
Shamoii A. Dagou, the youth who was sentenced to 2 years at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut, Tortola, for looting a television, has been released on bail pending his appeal hearing. Photo: Facebook
Controversial High Court Judge Ann-Marie Smith had sentenced Shamoii A. Dagou to 26 months for looting a $286.76 flat screen television in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Photo: Channel5Belize.com
Controversial High Court Judge Ann-Marie Smith had sentenced Shamoii A. Dagou to 26 months for looting a $286.76 flat screen television in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Photo: Channel5Belize.com
Opposition Members Hon Alvera Maduro Caines (R6), right, and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), left, had publicly criticised the lengthy sentencing of Shamoii A. Dagou. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Members Hon Alvera Maduro Caines (R6), right, and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), left, had publicly criticised the lengthy sentencing of Shamoii A. Dagou. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Shamoii A. Dagou, the youth who was sentenced to 2 years at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut, Tortola, for looting a television, has been released on bail pending his appeal hearing, according to reports reaching Virgin Islands News Online.

He posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, December 14, 2019: “Back at it again. The Gou.... 2nd day out”. More than 670 persons have since shown support for Mr Dagou by liking the post while some 96 persons commented with words of encouragement.

It was on July 17, 2019 that Dagou, a well-known basketball player who was generally regarded as a well-behaved character, was sentenced by controversial High Court Judge Ann-Marie Smith to 26 months for looting a $286.76 flat screen television in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

The sentencing of Dagou had received much criticism from the public, who had labeled the sentencing as too harsh, considering there were persons who committed similar crimes, including police officers, who were only given fines and community service.

The general view was that Dagou, who had no prior criminal record, was unjustly being made an example.

Two legislators, Opposition Members Hon Alvera Maduro Caines (R6) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) had also publicly criticised the lengthy sentencing of Dagou.

‘A bit harsh’

An emotional Hon Maduro-Caines, speaking under Public Business at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday July 25, 2019 had said while she does not condone crime she finds the sentencing of Mr Dagou to be “a bit harsh” considering the fact there were persons who were caught looting after the hurricanes of September 2017 and were given community service.

“So I ask myself, what is the difference between him and the others? Why was his case taken to the High Court when the other cases were held at the Magistrate’s Court? Was he chosen to be an example and why? Because this was a young man who had no previous records at all, good basketball player who has represented us in different basketball tournaments."

VI ‘not a dumping ground’- Hon Fraser

Meanwhile, Hon Fraser, in expressing his displeasure with the sentencing of Dagou, had also shared serious concerns about Justice Smith.

“I have seen on social media, and I have seen stories about this particular judge before,” Hon Fraser said in a House of Assembly sitting in September 2019, adding that that the VI “is not a dumping ground that anybody could come and dump on” without impunity.

Making it clear that he does not condone looting, Hon Fraser said he was simply advocating for justice and called on Government to “put a halt to all these things that are in place in the territory”.

“We cannot continue to live like all is honkey dory and everybody is happy,” Hon Fraser had stated.

“I don’t believe he (Dagou) is a common criminal and I think many people in the community feel the same way. I think something has to be done if you are gonna incarcerate people for looting, incarcerate all. If you are not going to incarcerate any, then don’t incarcerate one. That young man who is in prison for this act, as heinous as it was, he needs justice.

“With all the looting that took place … was that the only television that was taken? And only one person? I haven’t heard of anyone else being incarcerated; at least, I haven’t heard any outrage,” Hon Fraser added.

‘Irresponsible’

Vocal resident and social commentator Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy' had also publicly expressed her disapproval with the sentencing of Mr Dagou, berating Justice Smith in a Thursday July, 25, 2019, social media post.

“Let me just say that the looting that went on in this territory after the hurricanes was deplorable. There is no defense or justification. However, to toss this young man in jail for 2 years for looting a $300 TV is irresponsible of this Judge; especially given the precedent that has been set in some other cases for the same looting during the aftermath of the hurricane,” she said.

Questioning the fairness of the ruling handed down by Justice Smith, Rosan-Jones in her social media post also said, “We have to be extremely careful when we decide to unconscionably, grossly affect the lives and future of our young people in particular. Especially our MEN.”

Justice Smith assigned to Antigua & Barbuda

Jamaica national Justice Smith, who also created much public debate when she sentenced Lennox F. Da Silva under seven years for murdering his wife Sherika Nelson-Da Silva on Saturday, June 10, 2017, in the presence of their young children, has since been assigned to Antigua and Barbuda at the commencement of the New Year, January 1, 2020.

Smith is being replaced by Trinidadian, His Lordship, Justice Trevor Ward Q.C.

See link to related article:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/2-years-jail-for-youth-who-looted-tv-doesnt-add-up-hon-maduro-caines

26 Responses to “Shamoii A. Dagou out on bail”

  • go fast (15/12/2019, 11:22) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
    So happy she is leaving
  • Friend (15/12/2019, 11:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is wonderful news all the ......Have faith and left your head up the sky is the limit .
  • friend (15/12/2019, 11:29) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wonderful news all the best for the new year.
  • gutz (15/12/2019, 11:41) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    GOD BLESS ALVERA AND FRASER ALL THE REST WERE NUMB
  • lol (15/12/2019, 12:12) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    Slow news day huh
  • Teacher (15/12/2019, 12:35) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    He deserves to be out on bail. It had others that looted including police officers that didn't go to prison. They had community hours given to them. It wasn't fair to him. I'm happy for you Dagou.
    • DON'T FORGET (15/12/2019, 16:25) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      The preacher who stole a TV and got away with it. I will say, what the young man did I donot condone. However, community service and a fine would have been just fine. The judge tossed the young man under the bus. Judge, you are dismissed. Hurry up and get on the next flight up outta dodge.
    • miss FRANCIS RICHARDSON (16/12/2019, 04:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes there were police officers and auxillary police who were pardon I heard. Leena and others. Unfairness would never stop
  • Happy (15/12/2019, 14:16) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    The man was treated unfaily by the Judge. So glad she is out of here on her broom.
  • good news (15/12/2019, 14:35) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nice
  • Jones (15/12/2019, 16:06) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    Bet he wont do it again though!
  • oh (15/12/2019, 16:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    God does not like ugly. Without questioning the justice's decision but common sense is prevailed
  • Charley Rose (15/12/2019, 18:21) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is very interesting the comments made as a result of the bail granted to the young man. I totally agreed with the bail granted to him. However, one must not condone the act that he has committed. If this type of behaviour continues, then it will cause a rippling effect in the territory.

    Is there a special sentencing guideline for persons because of their nationalities. I think we should encourage our citizens to be law abided citizens and keep away from the law or else we will reap the consequences The Judge is leaving, however, she is leaving the problems behind. Let us encourage our people not to become pessimist to society.
    • Observer_001 (16/12/2019, 10:26) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Now this is the most level-headed comment I have read here thus far. I think we are slipping down a very dangerous slope when politicians make comments as reckless as some of those I have read since the sentencing of this offender earlier this year. There is a reason why the judiciary needs to operate independently from the executive arm of government. We would be setting a very dangerous precedent by allowing judges' decisions to be influenced in ANY manner by politicians. Politicians should also be responsible enough to not cast aspersions on judges/magistrates because in their minds court decisions were not 'just'. I also heard a comment in an earlier post subsequent to the offenders sentencing that "...it was time for the BVI to have their own judges." Mark my word, the day this comes to pass will be a very dark day for the justice system in these parts.
      And interestingly, everyone seems to just sweep under the carpet the fact that the young man committed an indictable offence; an offence which, when we look at the broader picture left scores of people jobless in these parts, thanks to the rampant looting which took place in the BVI post Irma.
  • Greg (15/12/2019, 19:07) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, his sentence was harsh and I am glad he learned a very serious lesson. My question to him is...if you were never a thief, why did you decide to go the wrong way, especially during such a tragic time? Don't do it again and plan a promising future for yourself. We all make mistakes using bad judgment.
  • and (15/12/2019, 20:38) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply

    The justice that looks like an American Bison got to go too.

  • Peaches (15/12/2019, 21:38) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply

    Sipping on a glass of champagne! The downpressor has left our beautiful shores! Good riddance!

    Thank you Hon. Fraser and Hon. Caines for speaking out!

  • Xxx (15/12/2019, 23:43) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    What I like is two local politicians has what it take to say enough is enough
  • Caught at school (16/12/2019, 07:07) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    What about the smoking in the school rest room?double standards never done, as if it was others they would have been suspended or kick out
  • Dulce (16/12/2019, 10:06) Like (3) Dislike (25) Reply
    Well the judge left him with his two thiefing hands still attached to his live body so he could thief again, so que problem.
    I have zero sympathy for such degenerative behaviour ..During a hurricane of the century and not food or water but an idiot box his mind functioning like that ? Yep he need to be outta society for a long time.
    What penalty others got have no bearing and no he is not indigenouus to the vi but was washed up on the shores via parents looking betterment from god knows where thiefing is in dem blood.
  • coach mike (16/12/2019, 10:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Glad you’re back with your family Sham. I’ll try to reach out to you this week
  • Norris Turnbull (16/12/2019, 13:18) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    How come no one in the NDP GOV OR THE VIP GOV looked into the allegations against Judge Smith? It would appear she was in trouble with the law in Belize. Hmmm
  • Quietly Watching (16/12/2019, 16:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree that if you commit a crime you should do the time. Unfortunately Mr. Dagou is the only one doing time after this totally disgusting looting we had after Hurricane Irma. Mothers with their children left their hillside homes and rushed to Town to take up what was not theirs. The evidence was there for them all to be brought to court to answer, but the police decided they were not going to prosecute their friends. I happen to be passing A Value in Huntumns Ghut on my way to look for plywood to cover my broken windows and saw the looting in living colour. After berating some of them with my mouth, I smiled when I saw two police officers. They were however simply taping the activity on their cell phones. Some of the footage included a little girl eating a lollipop that she stole while accompanying her mother. I spent about five minutes outside that store and I wanted to vomit. I think that after the experience of Irma, and surviving, you had to be one low down dirty bastard to go and steal. But they got away from the earthly judge. Hope they asked forgiveness from the Heavenly judge.
  • Norris Turnbull (16/12/2019, 22:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The reporter for the Beacon was stealing from peoples business Why wasn't he arrested?


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