PHILIPSBURG–The Court of First Instance on Thursday sentenced a 35-year-old man to a suspended sentence of thirty days and sixty hours of community service, on two years’ probation for disturbing the public order outside Tropicana Princess Casino in Cole Bay on December 3, 2017.
On that day police were called in twice for a fight at the Casino in which Jacques J. Tanis was involved.
He confessed to the Judge that he was outraged and “very angry” that day as a security guard at the Casino had slapped him in the face. The two had become involved in an argument because the guard had not opened the door quickly enough; it was the defendant’s opinion.
He denied he had been under the influence of alcoholic beverages. “I did not even have a drink that night,” he told the Judge.
Police officers, however, mentioned in their report that the defendant had bloodshot eyes, had the smell of alcohol on his breath and walked unsteadily.
Tanis had declined to pay a fine. In 2013, he did not follow mandatory Aggression Replacement Training, which was attached to the verdict in a case of assault.
The Prosecutor found it legally and convincingly proven that the electrician and casino dealer had displayed unruly behaviour while under the influence.
Attorney-at-law Marlon Hart stated that his client had been “very outraged.” He denied that his client had been under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs and stated that his client should be acquitted or dismissed of all prosecution.
The case is proven and the defendant deserves to be punished, the Judge said. She was, however, critical of the fact that the security guard who was involved in the argument had not been questioned as every altercation has two sides.
“You did not act appropriately and should deal with your problems differently,” the Judge told the defendant.
Therefore, the Judge decided to impose a fully conditional sentence, whereas the Prosecutor had called for a suspended prison sentence of 30 days with 60 hours of community service.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/74957-man-gets-sentenced-for-disturbing-public-order
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