Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

After nearly 7 yrs man sentenced for escaping HMP to go for walk

Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards ordered that Andrew A. Penn (in photo) be placed on a $3,000 probation bond until 2022 during his sentencing hearing for the charge of escaping lawful custody at the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Close to seven years after Andrew Angus Penn escaped from Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut to go for a walk, he has finally been sentenced for the offence.

Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards ordered that Penn be placed on a $3,000 probation bond until 2022 during his sentencing hearing for the charge of escaping lawful custody at the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Richards said the offence took place on April 6, 2013 during Penn's time on remand for another offence.

He was, during that time, assessed to be a low-risk prisoner and was placed inside the Immigration Detention Centre when he left the HMP through an unofficial exit situated close to the Prison’s Farm during recreational hours.

Prisoner went for a walk

The Magistrate said, the police was called in, and a search for him commenced, when he was eventually found, he was returning to the prison, ‘laughing’.

He said he left to go for a walk, she said.

Magistrate Richards said she had found him guilty of the offence in a previous court appearance and she accepts that he is a first time offender.

She also said, because he is a mental health patient and would need long term treatment, she would not impose a custodial sentence on him.

Another factor that was taken into consideration was the length of time that has passed since the offence occurred.

8 Responses to “After nearly 7 yrs man sentenced for escaping HMP to go for walk”

  • Greg (23/03/2020, 06:58) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Poor guy is on drugs. His mother is not from here and not living here. He used to work at his father's business east end plumbing store, but when his father died, he has been a wanderer ever since. He does have mental issues and his size and height is intimidating. I don't think his father's family helps him.
    • Fam. (23/03/2020, 12:16) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      It would be wise to speak ONLY what you know. There are alot of incorrect statements you’re writing. Please be careful in writing propaganda. Thanks.
      • Steve (23/03/2020, 17:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ Fam. So how is he doing, living, eating? I know him and what the above person Greg wrote is true. Where are the LOT of incorrect statements because we are all sitting here reading this are saying the same thing.
        • Fam. (24/03/2020, 15:12) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
          Ok. If you do know him, and you know the statements to be so true, have you offered assistance? reached out? aided in some way? because if you did, you'd know why atleast 80% of the statements are inaccurate. If it were YOUR family, you'd want persons to talk based on knowing 100% of the details, right? Absolutely.
  • LCS (23/03/2020, 07:35) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    So prison was a good place for him, after all. A roof over his head and food in a controlled environment was not a bad deal. He'll be back if no one will take care of his mental illness because BVI has no Mental Care Institutions. These individuals go untreated.
  • Jaj (23/03/2020, 09:10) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Angus is such a nice guy I have never seen another side of him he always by him self
  • Disinterested (23/03/2020, 12:23) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Justice delayed is justice denied. This offense occurred in 2013 and is just being adjudicated, seven years later. The magistrate should have tossed this case, given that the offense occurred in 2013. The long wait was punishment enough. Did Mr. Penn caused the delay in adjudicating case? No. Plus it is indicated that he has mental issues. He needs to be receiving mental treatment. Balo is not a mental facility. The BVI cannot continue ignore these mental issues. They use to send mental patients to Antigua but not sure about the quality of care receive there. The facility there needs to be upgraded and modernized.
  • Bull Dawg (23/03/2020, 15:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government needs to take this situation into consideration.
    This have been ignored for a very long time.
    They really need to get the proper facilities for these mental people before they harm someone.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.