Campden Park men blame ‘hard times’ for theft of drinks from St Vincent Brewery Ltd

Six burglars who appeared in court on Monday, January 23, blamed “hard times” for stealing over 116 cases of drinks worth close to $9,000 from the St. Vincent Brewery Limited (SVBL).

The Campden Park residents, 30-year-old Ivan Matthews; 38-year-old Dexter Matthews; 27-year-old Jomalie Gill; 17-year-old Kyron John; 46- year-old Godwin Williams and 21-year- old Geovannie Joseph all appeared in the Kingstown Magistrate Court before Senior Magistrate, Rickie Burnett on January 23 for arraignment.

Both Dexter and Ivan were charged that between October 13 and 14, 2022, at Campden Park, they stole 10 cases of Hairoun beer valued at $762.00, and one case of bitter lemon valued at $44.77, a total value of$806.77, the property of St. Vincent Brewery Limited.

They also were charged that between November 7 and 9, 2022, they stole 30 cases of Guinness with a value of $2606.84; 29 cases of Hairoun beer valued at $2210.67; five cases of tonic water valued at $223.85; a total value of $5041.36, the property of St. Vincent Brewery Limited.

The other defendants were charged that between January 16 and 17, 2023 they stole 21 cases of Guinness Stout valued at $1616.37, six cases of Guinness smooth valued at $438.72; eight cases of vita malt valued at $576.75; and six cases of large Hairoun beer valued at $397.38, a well as 41 Hairoun crates valued at $410-a total value of $3,439.22, the property of St. Vincent Brewery Limited.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, and they were each fined for the drinks that were not recovered. They were also bonded for one year.

According to the facts presented by prosecutor Corlene Samuel, the property of the SVBL is fenced and secured with a gate, and a truck that transports drinks was secured on that compound. An investigation was launched after drinks that were packed on a truck on October 13,2022 were missing after a check was conducted. On November 7, the truck was packed again, and on November 9, 2022, a number of drinks were reportedly missing again after checks were completed. As a result, the investigations continued.

On January 16,2023, the truck was packed and on January 17, 2023, drinks were once again missing for the third time and the police were informed.

Corporal 134 Hadley Ballantine carried out the investigations which led to all of the defendants being arrested. It was also discovered that an area of the fence had been cut open.

The police were able to retrieve a number of the stolen drinks as well as empty bottles. Two full cases of drinks with a value $136.00 are still missing from the October batch; while 23 full cases of drinks valued at $1564 are still missing from last November, as are 25 cases valued at $1675 from January, 2023.

When the defendants were given the opportunity to speak, they all begged the court for leniency; they also blamed “hard times” as the reason why they committed the offences.

The prosecutor told the court that the situation is very sad and this seems to be the mentality of many young men. She added that at the end of the day SVGBL has to pay their workers and they also have to pay for their own operations.

“It’s not that it is free, so when you go and take drinks, the company is at a loss…and the same way you are meeting hard times the company is going to meet hard times when you take what belongs to them,” the prosecutor pointed out.

She added, “the only good thing here is, I am seeing remorse and I was told they did not give the police any trouble…”

The senior magistrate noted that the defendants pleaded guilty; they have no previous convictions; they co-operated with the police; and they did not give any trouble.

“All of that alone, to me, suggest that I should not impose a custodial sentence on them,” he said.

However, Burnett also said “I have to send a message to society as well…and I have to send a strong message, because I cannot allow persons who are thinking like them [the defendants] to feel like they should do that [steal] and this is going to be the outcome, because each case is treated separately.”

Ivan and Dexter were each ordered to pay compensation of $68.00 by January, 31, for the missing drinks from October, 2022. They were each ordered to pay compensation of $782.00 by March, 31, for the missing drinks from November, 2022. If they fail to pay compensation as ordered by the court, they will each spend three months in prison.

They were also bonded for one year in the sum of $3000.00. If the breach is broken, each will be required to pay the fine forthwith or spend six months in prison.

The other defendants were ordered to pay compensation of $418.00 each by March, 31, for the stolen drinks from January, 2023 that were not recovered. They were also bonded for one year, and if they are found in breach, each will be required to pay $2000.00 forthwith or they will all spend six months in prison.

A restitution order was given for the drinks that were recovered.