In early July, a 20-year-old man from Saint-Martin was sentenced to 24 months in prison for a series of burglaries committed between April 25 and May 1 in Saint-Barthélemy. A repeat offender, he was tried for several aggravated robberies committed as part of a group, involving breaking and entering while wearing a concealed mask, as well as for possession of category B ammunition.
Along with several accomplices, including a minor already convicted a few weeks ago by the juvenile court, the defendant participated in the burglary of a car rental agency, two restaurants, a warehouse, and an apartment. In total, nearly €4.000 in cash, a restaurant cash register, jewelry, designer clothing, and ammunition were stolen.
The burglary of the apartment particularly caught the court's attention. The apartment had been completely ransacked: the television was destroyed, grenadine syrup was thrown on the walls, and an insulting message was left on clothing. According to the plaintiffs, this burglary was allegedly commissioned by a third party, who is not being prosecuted in this case, following a financial dispute with the tenant of the apartment. While the defendant admitted to several other burglaries, he denies any involvement in this one, despite his confession during police custody. At the hearing, the plaintiffs' lawyer presented the court with a video, sent to the victim's father after the incident, in which the defendant appears throwing grenadine syrup on the apartment walls.
In court, the young man explained that he had come to Saint-Barth “for a vacation” before being “swept up by a group mentality.” The court ultimately found him guilty on all counts and sentenced him to 24 months in prison, ordered him to compensate several victims, and banned him from possessing a firearm for five years. _DR
