PHILIPSBURG–Five men were sentenced by the Court of First Instance on Thursday for burglarising Juan’s snack bar in Cay Bay on December 19, 2017. All were sentenced to perform community service.
Members of the Police’s Human Trafficking Unit UMM searched the bar in Cay Bay on December 19, 2017 at 6:00am and found evidence of illegal prostitution at the establishment. Officials discovered seven women engaging in prostitution at the bar who did not have valid residence papers to be on the island.
During the search, in which UMM members were assisted by members of the Royal Marechaussee and Immigration and Naturalisation Service, electronics and narcotics were seized.
The owner of the brothel J.L. was arrested. He is suspected of several criminal offences including illegal employment and human trafficking.
Persons living in the neighbourhood found out later that the business owner was in custody and deemed it fit to break into his business. On the scene, police caught several suspects red-handed while they were stealing goods.
All suspects were arrested on the scene and taken to police headquarters where they were held for questioning and further investigation.
The police found large quantities of beer, cigarettes and whisky in Terance Cannegieter’s car. The 27-year-old fireman in training, whose contract with Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino and Spa expires on April 1, 2018, was sentenced according to the Prosecutor’s demand to 120 hours of community service.
Enrico F. Kruythoff (29), who was in Cannegieter’s car during the arrest, claimed he had no knowledge of the origin of the stolen goods.
The Prosecutor called for a 10-week prison sentence for the repeat offender, who will have to answer to charges violation of the post-Hurricane Irma curfew and of misappropriation of a scooter at another date.
The Court sentenced Kruythoff to one month suspended, on two years’ probation and 240 hours of community service.
Harold J.M. Rombley (30), who was sentenced in absentia, told the police he had seized the opportunity to steal from the looted bar. He stole liquor, condoms and cigars, although he said he does not drink or smoke.
Claude M. Boinotre (24) was sentenced to four weeks suspended, on two years’ probation and 80 hours of community service. He was found guilty of taking several items among which were condoms, a small bottle of ginseng, a charger and a pair of plastic gloves.
The man, who suffers from anxiety problems, had tried to flee from the police. Officers had fired several warning shots before making the arrest.
The Prosecutor called for one month suspended, on two years’ probation and 120 hours of community service, in this case.
Boinotre claimed he had been alerted to the incident via a WhatsApp group messages. He told the Court he did not enter the bar and had only picked up some items from the ground.
The Prosecutor said all suspects had taken advantage of the fact that shortly before the incident the owner of the bar had been arrested to “cowardly” plunder the establishment for personal gain.
He said the stolen items were returned to the owner. He also filed for US $500 in damages to the injured party, which the Judge declined as the bar owner did not appear in Court to substantiate the claim.
Carl S. Paul (27), who did not attend his trial, denied the allegations but was sentenced according to the Prosecutor’s demand to 120 hours of community service.
Attorney-at-law Zylena Bary claimed the charges could not be proven as not only her clients but a “multitude” of persons were on the premises, which were not secured by the Police. According to the police some 12 to 15 persons were seen plundering the bar.
Bron: Daily Herald