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UK national & ex-commander of Royal Bermuda Regiment jailed for corruption

- Lieutenant-Colonel David Curley sentenced to 6 months
UK national and former commanding officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, David Curley, who admitted a charge of official corruption was jailed for six months on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
David Carrick, 48, pleaded guilty to 49 offenses, including 24 counts of rape and charges that included assault, attempted rape and false imprisonment in connection to the attacks that took place over a 17-year period. The officer, who joined the force in 2001, previously served with the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command. Photo: Photo: Internet Source
David Carrick, 48, pleaded guilty to 49 offenses, including 24 counts of rape and charges that included assault, attempted rape and false imprisonment in connection to the attacks that took place over a 17-year period. The officer, who joined the force in 2001, previously served with the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command. Photo: Photo: Internet Source
News of Mr David Curley’s sentencing comes as persons in the Virgin Islands continue to ask who the Governor (John J. Rankin, right,) and the Police Commissioner (Mark Collins, left) are accountable to, as a Commission of Inquiry sponsored by the UK did not look into their portfolios, despite countless allegations of corruption, discrimination and mistrust in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Photo: VINO/GIS/File
News of Mr David Curley’s sentencing comes as persons in the Virgin Islands continue to ask who the Governor (John J. Rankin, right,) and the Police Commissioner (Mark Collins, left) are accountable to, as a Commission of Inquiry sponsored by the UK did not look into their portfolios, despite countless allegations of corruption, discrimination and mistrust in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Photo: VINO/GIS/File
HAMILTON, Bermuda- A former commanding officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment who admitted a charge of official corruption was jailed for six months on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

David Curley, 55, had pleaded guilty in July to asking the late Justin Williams, for a nomination to join the Order of St John in exchange for firearms and an appointment as legal adviser to the regiment.

The offence took place over several months in 2015 before Curley’s promotion to head of the RBR with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in February 2016.

According to the Royal Gazette, at a hearing on January 25, 2023, Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe sentenced Curley to 18 months behind bars, with 12 of those months to be suspended for a year.

Mr Justice Wolffe said he thought a term of imprisonment was necessary to send out a deterrent message.

Prosecutors had pushed for a custodial sentence of between 18 months and three years but said they would not object to that sentence being suspended if Curley was given additional punishments such as community service.

Immediately after sentence was passed, Curley’s lawyer, Mark Pettingill, asked if bail could be granted so that he could file an appeal.

But Alan Richards, for the Crown, objected to that request, arguing that bail could only be granted once an appeal had been submitted. Mr Justice Wolffe agreed.

Curley wearing a dark blue suit, was then led away by two prison security guards.

Who Governor & CoP accountable to?

News of Mr Curley’s sentencing comes as persons in the [British] Virgin Islands continue to ask who the Governor and the Police Commissioner are accountable to, as a Commission of Inquiry sponsored by the UK did not look into their portfolios, despite countless allegations of corruption, discrimination and mistrust in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

Police Commissioner Mark Collins was recently pardoned by the Governor, through the National Security Council, for the controversial Police in Paradise video. Many have said Collins should have been charged for ‘Breach of Trust’ for allegedly releasing to a UK media production company videos that were part of active investigations.

Only recently a police officer was discovered as one of the worst serial rapists in the United Kingdom.

This has also raised questions as to the screening process for UK officers joining the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

20 Responses to “UK national & ex-commander of Royal Bermuda Regiment jailed for corruption”

  • WOW (27/01/2023, 08:34) Like (19) Dislike (9) Reply
    First a rapist now this… I thought the UK was squeaky clean ????????. Or so they want us to believe ???
    • Really??? (27/01/2023, 09:16) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
      UK ex-pat here - if you thought the UK was squeaky clean, you clearly have not been paying attention.
  • Hmmmm (27/01/2023, 08:56) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    The post of Governor should be an elected position so that they can be accountable to the people and the laws of the land.
    • Civicslesson (27/01/2023, 10:46) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Governors in British overseas territories are appointed. Countries which select their own governors are independent countries. Therefore we cannot appoint a governor unless we become independent. I stand to be corrected but that is what we were taught in Civics as a child many years ago.
  • Real (27/01/2023, 09:06) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    It's called accountability in action. Soon come.
  • Don’t let them fool us (27/01/2023, 09:13) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wow the uk is corrupt never only the bvi
    • Squid (27/01/2023, 11:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hey at least they have accountability. When we have people arrested, charged and in jail. then we can probable start to really talk.
  • Thicko (27/01/2023, 09:28) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    You note that as a result of said corruption... he is going to jail.... some people in BVI should be very worried should they not...?
  • W*F (27/01/2023, 09:30) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    What an amazing system them have. Rounding up the corrupt people in their governance system and holding them accountable. One can dream.
  • resident (27/01/2023, 09:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Custodial sentences for corruption, while in public office, that's the way to do it. It deters people.
  • Weapons (27/01/2023, 09:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Deactivated ceremonial rifles for display
  • no justice no peace (27/01/2023, 09:45) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    They in the bvi trying to lock up all the locals while John and mark go free
  • Josiahsbay (27/01/2023, 10:36) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    If anything the UK should be a watchdog entity and not an active participant in VI governance. We don't need them as our administering power, we have our government and laws for that. We don't need them in our constitution because that makes it a colonial document.
  • Norris Turnbull (27/01/2023, 10:54) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    How different is this from the negative images of Africa. Always showing black people in thatch and mud houses and hungry children but could never show decent living in all of Africa. The UK Police is much more corrupt than the VI police. This will be watered down to the max. Have many friends...trust none.
  • Blacka (27/01/2023, 11:14) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    The BVI Commissioner of Police is a good man, arhyoiu leave he alone pls.
  • Sad (27/01/2023, 11:14) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad. White, black, yellow, Asian, Indian. Prison is the appropriate punishment for all involved in corruption..
  • not nice (27/01/2023, 11:47) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Collins Rankin need to be locked up
  • Sambo (27/01/2023, 15:37) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I’m puzzled to why people think that Brits, colonialists, etc , are purists, pure as driven snow, non-corrupt. Here is a news flash colonialism is violent, corrupt, exploitative, racist, exclusive, extractive, etc institution. This is was their approach in governing the colonies. The UK government officially sanctioned the attitude and behaviour. When the colonial power and colonists are singing from the same hymnal, why do we expect model behavior. The colonists were and are still corrupt and still not accountable to anyone. They despise the rule of law as being not for they but for the governed. Someone asked the question who is un-appointed Gov John Rankin’s, CMG, and Comish Mark Colins accountable to? The CoI exempted them as being special not included in the investigation. A case of might is right, ie, the brutes, heathens, etc are corrupt and un-redeemable and must be treated as hopeful misfits not from Europe. Interestingly, the former colonies adopted their same corrupt models and institutions instead of ditching the corrupt models at independence.
  • Blacka (27/01/2023, 17:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Chief offender of corruption and discrimination against locals he already quit the force and now hiding cause there a warrant for immenent arrest for attempting to smuggle ammunition out of the country.
  • not nice (28/01/2023, 08:47) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    When You black You are wrong when You white You right


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