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

Stapleton spared jail time, found guilty of stealing

- Ordered to repay $57,340 & $20,000 fine
Henrietta Christine Stapleton was found guilty minutes ago in the High Court today July 6, 2012 on 47 counts of theft. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In the High Court this afternoon July 6, 2012, Henrietta Stapleton was found guilty on 47 counts of theft for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 that was paid to her for a senior citizens cruise.

Stapleton, who was representing herself in the trial, is fined $20,000 to be paid by August 31, 2012 and in default she will have to face two years imprisonment.

In addition to that, she has to pay compensation in the sum of 57,340 to be paid by September 30, 2012. In default, she will serve 18 months in prison.

According to court records, the accused woman, who was the manager of an agency ‘Cruises by Christere’, was contracted by the Social Development Department to arrange a cruise for seniors to commemorate the 2009 anniversary of Seniors Citizens Month.

However, it was later discovered that Stapleton only made seven bookings for the cruise out of a possible 64 individuals. In all, it is alleged she received more than $50,000, and former Premier Ralph T. O’Neal had to intervene and bankrolled the cruise for the seniors.

The Crown contended that the accused was operating ‘Cruise by Christine’ from her Great Mountain home.

23 Responses to “Stapleton spared jail time, found guilty of stealing”

  • native baby (06/07/2012, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    b 4 dem go find killers of people dem wasting dey court time wid tis..well sah.. lawd ah mussy she aint get ah night in jail.
    • Flagrant Foul (06/07/2012, 15:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      she aint see a night in jail just like you haven't seen a day in school. read the damn thing from chatting nonsense. she has to pay back the money plus a fine or face up to 3yrs and change in jail. Why jail her to feed her with more taxpayer money when she already stole from the seniors? Let her pay, stop clogging the jail.
    • Guest (06/07/2012, 16:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Oh hush your illiterate a$$.....Crime is crime to be solved just like any other. Why you don't go and search for the people that killed your brain? Because they seemed to have done a good job....
  • weed (06/07/2012, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She better consider herself lucky
    • Village Girl (07/07/2012, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      yu hush and scatter a lot of ayo should have been in jail but not!
  • egg face (06/07/2012, 16:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    47 counts and only a fine...well mey bouy?
  • under the bus (06/07/2012, 16:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its such a shame when persons do this to old people....eh
  • in the news (06/07/2012, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are you kidding me only that she got?
    • ann (06/07/2012, 23:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is a bad message sent to our society youths by the courts, who are committing a lot of crime ...crime must be dealt with for if you do the crime you must do the time also!!!!
  • Real (06/07/2012, 19:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The lesson here is thieve $50k u will not get jail time, get caught with a bag of weed you will get jail time.Only in the B.V.I, this is classic.
  • Dreadlocks (07/07/2012, 12:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shame on the judge
    • Query (07/07/2012, 16:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just inquiring? Was this the judge that was once reported to be the "no nonsense" judge? It's a pity that she did not get the penalty she deserves. She stole - should have pled guilty many years ago -come before a judge and jury -found guilty and this is all she gets. I'm wondering if the Prosecution could appeal the leniency of this sentence!!! She should be sentenced accordingly for this atrocious crime. Shame on Justice Redhead. Maybe he is mellowing in his twilight years because this is a wrong message to deter would-be thieves like this brazen lady.
  • Responsible (07/07/2012, 12:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This sentence makes me puke. What a message are the courts sending out. I cannot believe that an experienced judge will do that. She did not even plead guilty to show remorse. She took the court system for a ride. And she ride well, certainly with the sentence handed down. When are we going to have serious judges?
  • Why? (07/07/2012, 12:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not surprised at this sentence. This is when you have retired people in jobs who have lost their touch with reality.
    • fACTS (07/07/2012, 16:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I conducted some research. This is the only court in the Caribbean where retired judges are called back to work> What happened to all our younger people who should be promoted from magistrates to judges to court of appeal judges. Ever wonder why the more senior judges are leaving the OECS to go elsewhere. First, Kenneth Benjamin, next Indira Charles, next the man himself and through reliable source, another very senior judge is also resigning soon within ONE year. It is time that whoever the new Chief Justice is start promoting young people and send reitrees home to enjoy retirement.
  • native girl (07/07/2012, 13:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Henrietta trust in the lord as he has given you another chance. Now keep on the stright and narrow path and do the right thing and keep trusting in Jahavour. Do not mind the naysayers their day shall come...hold your head up high like a kite girl....
  • not a win (08/07/2012, 00:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    there are no winners in this, the old people did not get theit trip and Stapleton got her reputation smear...
  • not a win (08/07/2012, 00:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    there are no winners in this, the old people did not get their trip and Stapleton got her reputation smear...
  • up town (08/07/2012, 14:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's a lot of $$$$ to payback in a short time!
  • ready or not here i come (09/07/2012, 15:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    give your life to jesus chrstine


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.