Magistrate Richards, in handing down her sentence today, noted that the Crown had submitted in their sentencing guidelines that the aggravating factors included the prevalence of the offence, the high value of the equipment stolen (valued at $8,000) as well as the seriousness of the offence.

Mr Arrington had pleaded guilty.

The prosecution, Magistrate Richards related, indicated that mitigating factors in the defendant’s favour included his early guilty plea, the fact that the items were recovered and also that the accused had no prior offences against him.

The Magistrate acknowledged the prevalence of the offence and the early guilty plea while noting that it was committed in the public domain and further stated, “It is a well known fact that the offence of theft is rampant in the Territory.”

She then instructed that the defendant’s term of imprisonment be served from the date of first remand.

See previous story posted February 7, 2013:

UPDATE: Sentencing postponed for confessed outboard engine thief

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Sentencing in the matter involving Ryanson Arrington has now been rescheduled to February 15, 2013.

The man appeared before the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, February 6, 2013 and was told by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards that he would have to come back on another date since the court was unable to deal with his matter at yesterday’s sitting.

Arrington pleaded guilty to stealing 2 outboard engines between October 4-7, 2012 from Dockmasters in the Village Cay area.

See previous story posted January 24, 2013:

Youth sent to prison for stealing outboard engines

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Ryanson Arrington, 22, was yesterday, January 23, 2013 remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison after pleading guilty to the charge of theft. Arrington was accused of stealing two outboard engines between October 4-7, 2012. The engines were valued at $8,000.

According to the facts of the matter read by Crown Counsel Leslie-Ann Faulkner, it was reported that two (2) outboard engines had gone missing from Dock Masters at the Village Cay Marina; at the time Police had received information that caused them to execute a search warrant on October 18, 2012 at the home of the accused. During the search, Arrington was present and a warrant was read to him before the search commenced.

It was disclosed that during the search Police allegedly found a number of items including a Yamaha outboard engine and a Tahatsu outboard engine with serial numbers removed. They were allegedly shown to the defendant and he was cautioned. Further, the accused was asked where he got [the outboard engine] from and allegedly stated he had taken the two engines from the Village Cay Marina while he was in the area in a small boat.

The Dock Masters representative was informed and was reportedly able to identify the engines by colour, horsepower and size of the markings on the top cover of the engines. A video interview was later done with the defendant under caution where he allegedly admitted again to the offence and was charged as a result.

The accused, unrepresented at the time, offered an apology to the owners of the company and said it was not his intention to steal the engines. He promised not to repeat the error in future.

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards asked the defendant whether he wished to call anyone to offer any comments on his behalf and he seemed confused momentarily. Magistrate Richards said, “Whomever you want to call to stand up and say what a good boy you are…”; the defendant had no takers, despite the alleged presence of both his mother and step-father in the courtroom at the time.

“Tell me why you should not go to jail?” Magistrate Richards asked. Silence followed. The defendant then collected himself and replied that he would not do it again and offered to buy his own outboard engine in future. He also stated that his employer of one week had “plans” for him and he didn’t want to “mess that up”. He requested another chance to be himself and stop giving trouble.

Magistrate Richards felt that the defendant’s action warranted a custodial sentence and stated that it was a breach of peace whenever a crime of that nature occurred. She offered that one should be able to leave their things in certain places without fear of having them stolen.

The defendant was remanded to custody and a request for sentencing guidelines was made of the Crown, along with a restitution order. The matter comes up again for sentencing on February 6, 2012.