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UPDATE: Youth apologises for Purcell bike stabbing incident

Jefferson blocks his face as he entered the Magistrate’s Court on June 12, 2012. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Essardo Jefferson, 18, tendered his apologies for a stabbing incident he was allegedly involved in at Purcell when he appeared before the Magistrate’s Court yesterday January 29, 2013 after pleading guilty to charges of common assault and wounding.

The defendant, a VIslander, had just turned 18 years of age a week before the alleged incident, which reportedly occurred on June 6, 2012 and has been incarcerated since June 19, 2012.

His attorney, Mr Patrick Thompson, related that the defendant was previously employed as a shelf stocker at a supermarket before his incarceration but has since lost this employment due to the time he has spent on remand.

Mr Thompson noted that it was now for the accused to take up the challenge of putting the pieces back together after the incident. Thompson noted that while his client was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, it in no way excused his behaviour but probably offered an explanation of his irrational behaviour at the time.

He cited the use of the air gun in the incident as a possible source of provocation to the defendant but this was refuted by the prosecution. When the suggestion was made, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards agreed that the defendant may have been challenged but suggested that the defendant should have “provoke [himself] to the police station”.

Senior Crown Counsel Mr Valston Graham, in representing the Crown’s case, suggested that the air gun appeared not to be ‘in play’ at the time of the incident and in no way resembled an actual firearm. He offered to submit a photograph of the object to dispute this claim. The defendant vigorously shook his head in the negative when a description of the object was given by Mr Graham.

Police obtained a medical report for the VC, which allegedly indicated that the victim incurred approximately $600 in medical expenses for his injuries.

Jefferson will return to court on February 26, 2013 for sentencing.

See previous article posted on June 20, 2012

18 year-old in Purcell bike stabbing denied bail

Essardo Jefferson, who is accused of stabbing a Purcell business owner on June 6, 2012 over a mountain bike squabble, was denied bail when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday June 19, 2012.

The 18 year-old is charged with attempted robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm and was not required to plea to the indictable offences.

This news agency understands that bail was denied because the court believed that the young man has a propensity for violence.

During Jefferson’s first court appearance on June 12, Senior Crown Counsel Christilyn Benjamin rolled out the facts of the case surrounding the incident that occurred six days before - June 6. According to her, around 8:30 p.m., one of the Virtual Complainants (VC) Samuel Tom, was in the vicinity of Rowen Martin’s place of business when Jefferson turned up and spotted a mountain bike parked nearby.

He allegedly stated, “Whose bike is this, I going down the road with it.” The court heard that Tom allegedly told him he did not know and Jefferson could not take it. However, that did not deter the defendant, the court heard.
It was then things started to get a bit ugly, when Tom held on to the bike.

“He [Jefferson] behaved in an aggressive manner towards Tom. He pulled out a knife from his pants pocket and in stabbing motions wielded it at Tom saying that he is going to take the bike. Tom in an attempt to defend himself used the bike as a shield,” Crown Counsel Benjamin related to the court.

Martin, the other VC, observed what was going on, came out with an air gun from his shop, and when the defendant noticed the gun he ran off but not before allegedly threatening the men by saying “I know your faces, I will come back to get you.”

The court heard that Jefferson returned shortly after and entered Martin’s shop, who asked him to leave the premises. However, that request was ignored, Senior Crown Counsel Benjamin stated.

The 18 year-old allegedly pushed Martin and a struggle ensued. “Jefferson pulled the knife and made two stabbing motions at Martin and then walked away from the premises,” the Crown Counsel disclosed.

It was a customer who informed Martin that he was bleeding in the chest area. The businessman was taken to Peebles Hospital where he was treated for his wounds. He received two stitches to a wound that was inflicted underneath his right breast plate and three stitches for the wound at the center of his chest.

Three days later, June 9, 2012, Jefferson was arrested and charged by Police.

20 Responses to “UPDATE: Youth apologises for Purcell bike stabbing incident”

  • LOL (13/06/2012, 07:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This guy sounds out of control, get him off our streets.
  • Sick (13/06/2012, 08:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This young man is a menace to society. It is sad to say so, but it is the truth. You can never hear his name calling in anything good. I cannot understand how he and his friends can wake up everyday with no purpose in mind, but to see how they can take advantage of other people. This boy always in an out of court. Nothing is ever really done so he thinks he is the next "bad man". Let's see if he will get off with a slap on the wrist AGAIN.
  • kenny Rogers (13/06/2012, 08:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    he did the crime now runing from the heat!!!
  • He sound looney!!! (13/06/2012, 09:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He stabbing up people for thing that ain't his, this boy sound obnoxious and crazy! That's attempted murder, try don't give him no bail. Well Sah!
  • Joc (13/06/2012, 09:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please do not issue him any bail because he is not good in his head to be among people. He needs to be locked up.
  • Really! (13/06/2012, 09:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Listen, we need to start putting these youngsters faces all over the media so that people can know who they are. I like how the USVI places the mugshots in the media when people are charged. Let's put these offenders out there so that the public can be on their guards!
  • Madin (13/06/2012, 09:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sounds like attempted murder to me lock him up and lose the key!!!!!!!!!!!
  • hands up (13/06/2012, 11:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jeff bouy dey devil mek work for idle hands
  • Out of Control (13/06/2012, 11:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    OMG!!!!! This is so unbelievable. What is happening to our country? These youths are out of control. Please Premier, let's all stop talking about this and act on introducing some form of disciplinary system to deal with these guys. Presently they are laughing at the system. They don't mind a slap on the wrist, being thrown out of school, some community service and a curfew they don't have to adhere to. They fare better with the rewards of their deeds and these far outweigh the punishment given. The norm seems to that they threaten those standing up to them with the words, "I'll be back" to "get' or "kill" you. My Lord, this 18 year old came back to kill this man over a bike he was trying to steal. From the comments, he is a repeat offender with no respect for the law or anyone but himself. Face the facts. We need today, not tomorrow, a jeuvenile court system and a well secured building to act as a detention center for these out-of-control youths who are plaguing our community with their criminal behaviors. The parents cannot control or enforce any control on these boys. The community would feel safer and these boys will stand a better chance of rehabilitation if they do receive punishment for their acts. They need strict curfews enforced upon them in a location where they receive education, discipline, and councelling to positively influence them. Turning them back onto their peers is only teaching them it is okay to do it again. We continuously see this. When is someone going to act and do something about this???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
  • HMPS Officer (13/06/2012, 17:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I was on my shift in jail, I was scared of him, really, because he openly worships the devil. He used to tell the visiting churches that he dont want to hear nothing about God and sit in his cell with his satanic tools.
    • The psycho kid (14/06/2012, 13:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why was he allowed to have satanic tools in his cell? This kid is obviously going to be trouble. By the sounds of it he needs a psychiatric evaluation and some major anger management courses. He is mad at the world and he thinks fear works in his favor. Worshipping the devil openly is a way for him to try and scare others. What he needs is a bunch of guys to come in dressed like priests, with crosses and holy water, beat the crap out of him until he cries and take his satanic toys away from him. The only thing that will work for him is for others to stand up and refuse to be scared or intimidated AND he sounds like he needs some perscription drugs to work on his psychotic behavior. I'd love to read a psychiatric assessment and a report on his background to understand how he got where he is in his 18 years.
  • out the box (14/06/2012, 01:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    at 18 years old he in trouble my god when he becomes 25....
  • hot tot (14/06/2012, 13:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he is not punished now, he will kill someone and it will be the courts fault. The Police catch him and the courts let him go.
  • my point (20/06/2012, 08:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    too many crazy people out mehson
  • WOW (20/06/2012, 10:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with ALL the other comments, this is craziness!!! trying to steal something that aint yours, marking faces to "come back for" worshipping the devil openly and having satanic tools....these are ish you only see or hear bout in the movies!!! Like someone said, what would happen if he lived to see 25??? Them need to keep he in jail and burn the key.......if they "lose" it, there's a chance they'll find it!!!!
  • jack (20/06/2012, 16:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ha ha to late now to hide!!!
  • HMPS Officer (30/01/2013, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    When I was on my shift in jail, thare was a guy that openly worships the devil. He used to tell the visiting churches that he dont want to hear nothing about God and sit in his cell with his satanic tools. 

  • Hell no (31/01/2013, 13:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Do not believe that apologie smebody  will do the same thing over and over again, even  mom is afraid of him,he allegedly threaten her on numerous occasions...

  • bb (31/01/2013, 22:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    He again struppppssss


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