Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VG landlord guilty of damaging tenant's washing machine & car windshield

- Morris Huggins to be sentenced on July 28, 2020
Morris Huggins has been remanded to Her Majesty's Prison until his sentencing on July 28, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A Virgin Gorda landlord was found guilty of a 2012 matter where he reportedly destroyed a washing machine and a car windshield of one of his tenants.

Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards found Morris Huggins guilty during his appearance from Her Majesty’s Prison via Zoom on Monday, July 6, 2020.

“In this case, there is evidence of damage to a washing machine; the windshield was slashed. The defendant pushed the washer deliberately and caused the damage,” Richards said.
 
“Mr Huggins, the court has found you guilty for the offences of criminal damage of the washing machine and the car. Beyond a reasonable doubt, you are accordingly convicted," she declared.
 
Disagreement 
 
The Senior Magistrate said the Virtual Complainant (VC) and the defendant had a disagreement on the day of the incident and the VC left his rented home and headed to the police station to make a report against the defendant.
 
While at the station, the VC received a phone call that the defendant had taken the opportunity while he was away from the home to destroy his washing machine and damage the windshield of his car.
 
Delay caused by defendant

In addressing the eight-year-old matter, Richards said the defendant had a part to play in the delay.

“Previous to Irmaria, and the Coronavirus, the delay is on the part of Mr Huggins. We literally had to send the police to Virgin Gorda for him to come to court,” she stated.
 
She also ruled that he will remain in custody pending his sentencing on July 28, 2020.

Lawyer Michael Maduro represented Mr Huggins during the proceedings.

15 Responses to “VG landlord guilty of damaging tenant's washing machine & car windshield”

  • soo (07/07/2020, 13:44) Like (3) Dislike (28) Reply
    The landlord is a local so what
  • Unbelievable (07/07/2020, 13:51) Like (57) Dislike (6) Reply
    A 2012 simple case getting a verdict in 2020 and to say its the Defendant cause why it was delayed? He don't run the court, you Madam magistrate is who run the court house. If a man suppose to be in court and he don't show up you bench warrant him. So why you can't sentence him today. Yes he guilty, but does it make sense to jail a man who has been out free for 8 years mashing up a washing machine and a car glass. I doubt he remember now what happen on the day of the incident and probably had a moment of anger. To jail him today in corona times aint even make no sense. Fine the man and over with it. Youall just like dragging on simple stuff
    • See (07/07/2020, 14:38) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Exactly !!!
    • Justice Joe (07/07/2020, 15:48) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      Unbelievable, please read, read and read. The story says the man made his appearance from Her Majesty’s Prison. So he might have been in prison for something else or the same thing. The magistrate also said the man refused to come court and they had to Literally send the police to VG for him. Please read before you comment and make yourself look foolish. This guy Huggins is a menace to society and should remain in prison. I support the magistrate and his appeal is dismissed.
      • To Justice Joe (07/07/2020, 18:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        You read plus understand from there playing like only you could read. If they couldn't get him to appear in court around Irma times and covid 19 then that would lead us to figure out that they would have locked him up recently. From 2012 to 2017 alone is too long to have a little matter on turtle crawl
    • Outlaw (07/07/2020, 15:58) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Unbelievable, it may sound and seem simple to you and others bet it’s not, criminal damage depending on the gravity can land you in prison for life, for example if you burn down a man house, you can spend life in prison, in this instance where this man damage a car windshield and washer, he can spend 5 years in prison and if that matter was tried at the High Court, he can spend up to 10 years in prison. Sometimes we look at things and feel they are simple but in essence they are not.
    • ee (08/07/2020, 01:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you only know the story. He lucky. Why out tax dollars had to pick him up. They had to look for him so many times. So people will sleep good unless until July 28. He avoided them hoping they will throw it out
    • Peaches (08/07/2020, 09:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I concur!!
  • Ghost (07/07/2020, 14:11) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is crazy of the courts.. you all seriously let this case ran on for this length of time, and now want to jail the person and sentence him later.. this is crazy.. I could be wrong but isn’t there some mandate for the length of time cases should be heard?...
  • brutality of justice (07/07/2020, 14:30) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    'This magistrate'is to emotionally personal with the manner in which she dispense justice and the bvi.It is time for her to be reported to the chief justice of the eastern caribbean supreme court.This is an abuse of the criminal justice system.
  • Weak Lawyers (07/07/2020, 15:24) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Dont blame the magistrate... Blame the weak lawyers..
    • ee (08/07/2020, 17:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      dont blame none blame the defendant for hiding everytime the police looking for him


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.