Homeless man reportedly wreaking havoc, masturbating in public
A January 16, 2023, Facebook post from Dean H. Greenway aka ‘The Sportsman’ highlighted that persons have complained that tourists from the cruise ship were being bothered by the same ‘Sonnel’ at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.
“I know that he has challenges. However, we don’t want any negative impact from his unwarranted solicitation. Hopefully, this can be addressed before it gets outa [Out of] hand,” Greenway added.
The post was accompanied by a photo of Hanley standing close to two elderly tourists and staring at them as they sat on a bench at the park.
Issues raised in HoA
During the Dec 19, 2023, budget debates in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Deputy Speaker and At-large Representative Hon Stacy M. Mather (Al) had raised the issue of mental health in the VI and spoke of the same vagrant called Sonnel.
“I was driving coming … and I watched Sonnel run into the middle of the road and traumatise a little boy and his mother,” he said in calling for more to be done.
“I had to get out my vehicle and say Sonnel stop your stupidness,” he said in revealing the individual attended the Althea Scatiffle school. “When I see these things it burns my heart… we watch tourists come into this country and they are afraid because some of these same individuals pressure them," Hon Mather stated.
The post by Greenway has since sparked several persons to speak out about their altercations with Hanley, including alleged attacks.
"When he ready he does charge after people, looking to hit them, somehow when he sees me he turns the other cheek...sometimes I wonder if is willful them willful,” one Facebook user said.
Public masturbation
Another user commented, "I've seen it many times. One local man challenged him after he threw a stone at him, and he was quick to apologise. So he knows who to act out with. He did it to two tourists a few weeks ago in the Republic Bank area. Also, saw him once pleasuring himself in that same park, broad daylight with very little attempt to hide!”
VINO reported as far back as 2013, that Hanley was charged with common assault and prior to that, in 2012, he was made to spend six months in jail for a similar offence which amounted to common assault.
While it remains unclear if Hanley has been officially declared mentally ill, Hon Mather said the issue of mental illness and drug use is happening across the VI, with persons begging outside the supermarkets and the majority of them being youths known to him.
On the eastern side of Tortola, homeless persons are also usually seen walking the streets begging for food and money. Many of them appear to have mental issues.
“You cannot take up someone and put them behind bars who has a mental illness, it is wrong,” Hon Mather added in calling for more to be done.
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66 Responses to “Homeless man reportedly wreaking havoc, masturbating in public”
He knows what he's doing. Heard him say he doesn't want a job because when you get a job you get responsibilities, and he isn't looking for any responsibilities.
He tackled me a few months ago in Bobby's parking lot. I stood up to him and he backed off. Haven't had any issues with him since.
The big question is who is really leading this country and why in this irresponsible way?
People of the BVI wake up! Our ship is sinking fast. Money along can't keep it afloat, nor can education, science, and other selfish ambitions, only selfless actions will.
The unelected Governor and CoP are responsible for making and keeping the territory safe.
He scared the sh** out of a citizen the other day. Told her without provocation that he was going mash her up.
I will forget he crazy if he come to me with his nonsense. I guess thar he hasn't heard about what happened to Kiddo
Yo UK make haste please. Only so longer persons with working brains can continue to deal with these local idiots.
By the way, Sonnel is a very educated young man. He once worked for at a well-known trust company here in the BVI. Use to see him every day with is shirt and tie matching and shoes too. Sharp as a tac.
He does not mess with people who tell him off... all his behaviors say he's not as mentally ill as people may think. Depressed & down but he should really stop his crap. Coming by banco atm to beg. Willfulness at times.
Reminds of that woman who was sexually assaulted on St.john by a common vagrant and also sued as people knew he was a danger. Something must be done to ensure people's safety in town & find productive placement for those people.
hmm all this going on. Dont suppose its time to legalize so people can grow a few plants in peace & stay out of trouble?
Seems like the police have their hands full.