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Construction worker accused of stealing coconuts; trespassing!

Raymond Wilkins pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the Magistrate's Court on April 10, 2013 facing charges of trespassing and theft. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Raymond Wilkins vehemently protested his innocence when he appeared before the Magistrate’s court today, April 10, 2013 after being charged with stealing coconuts and trespassing on private property.

Wilkins, 54, of Long Look tendered a not guilty plea to the charges of theft and criminal trespass which allegedly occurred on January 10, 2013 at Paraquita Bay.

According to the allegations read by Senior Crown Counsel Sarah Benjamin, the Virtual Complainant (VC) in the matter was alerted by a neighbour that the defendant was allegedly in his (VC’s) yard picking coconuts.

A report was then made to the East End Police Station and Officer Padmore attended to the VC’s residence at Paraquita Bay where he reportedly met the VC, defendant and one other person.

The Officer reportedly observed 21 coconuts on the outer side of a wall on the VC’s property. When the VC was asked whether permission was given to the defendant to pick the coconuts, the VC responded that no such permission was given to Wilkins.

The defendant was later cautioned about the offence, arrested and charged. He reportedly offered no response when officers asked whether he knew anything of the coconuts that were laying in the VC’s yard.

When questioned about his particulars by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards, the defendant who was unrepresented at the time, stated that he could not remember his date of birth.

The defendant, who also claimed to be a construction worker, said he would seek to acquire the services of an attorney at the soonest opportunity and was offered bail in the sum of $5000.

He was asked to return to court on June 14, 2013.

30 Responses to “Construction worker accused of stealing coconuts; trespassing!”

  • ras (10/04/2013, 13:47) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    Them coconuts belongs to jah
  • Release (10/04/2013, 13:48) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor man he body might have reached in the tree, but he poor brain way behind
  • legal (10/04/2013, 14:07) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Come on man give it a rest. Give the man a break. This is just ridiculous
    • christchild (10/04/2013, 15:56) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      For real man come on coconuts come on you donot realey need them coconuts man give the man break
    • Kima (11/04/2013, 06:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree, its a bit too petty. Why not just ask him for a few after he pick them and let him so sell the others. Ain't like he was going eat nor drink 21coconuts.... stups. The society like how it is from the ppl in it.
  • tola (10/04/2013, 14:13) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Police wasting tax payers money I gone get him a lawyer bail 2 high for coconuts lord man
  • pain in de butt (10/04/2013, 14:50) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    This man is nothing but a pain in the butt and needs to removed from the streets
  • Me (10/04/2013, 15:05) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Buh Raymond mek headlines today....lol...meen see he in ages...
  • drake (10/04/2013, 15:42) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    Now come on, Really? You prefer that he brakes in somebody house to make a living or innocently climb a coconut tree that we all met here on gods earth and try to have them sold for a few bucks....i'm coming to court for his next appearance to see who made this complaint...and god forbid you don't need anything from me.
    • jokes (11/04/2013, 07:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      How about he do construction work like he claims! If it's not his he needs to keep his thieving hands off it. This man is a major pain in the East!
  • Watch him good (10/04/2013, 15:44) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Aint he kill the boy and they got poor Germaine up balo in error? juts wondering
    • red eye (10/04/2013, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      to watch him good....if u don't kno what u sayin shut ur s.......k dirty mouth
      • @ Watch him good (11/04/2013, 01:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Sounds like you need brains instead of a body.

        you do not look like you have neither
  • Princess (10/04/2013, 16:04) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Struppsss, that persons should be ashamed for taking this man to court for coconuts...He trying to make a living by selling them. I am sure whoever this person is never picked any of those coconuts and I am sure they never planted any of those trees..,.wasting the court time..$5,000 for bail...nonsense...
    • Music (10/04/2013, 17:17) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Yes and No. I have an arrangement with someone to cull my coconuts and in return he cleans the trees and keeps me supplied with what little I want. I do not want anyone else on my property taking my nuts without permission, and have had several run-ins with men who say they have permission! Not from me they dont!
      I have got quite near to calling the police when I get lip and lies, but havent done so yet!
  • Connor (10/04/2013, 17:02) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    I saw the police brought this man to the hospital some months ago and I just had to shake my head. The man's pants was dropping off him, he was barefoot and seemed disoriented. Do we really want to waste tax payers money taking a man such as Mr Wilkins to court for some coconuts? The man can't even remember his date of birth (and I don't think he was joking). There are serious crimes out there, unsolved murders which the police should be actively trying to solve but to be after this poor guy like that is totally appalling. We need a home for these people. Society frowns upon them, calling them nuisances,etc but they need help. They are crying out for help! Good Lord, somebody has to do something for them.
    • . (10/04/2013, 17:48) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      Let him come stay by you then
      • Stars (10/04/2013, 21:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Shut your ignorant behind bout let him go stay by Connor. You sound like you think you better than anyone else so I am not surprised by your comment.
    • Misha (11/04/2013, 13:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes they should create and institute for them, away from towns and people where they can get the help them so desperately need. The sad thing is it will probably turn into the Bethlem Hospital of the Caribbean, and take at least 4 more years to build! So have no fear it will be built after the Hospital (how long is that building been in construction again? - Good VI Trivia Question).
      Also since they can't keep prisoners in the prison, we should expect to see our friendly lunatics and druggies back on the outside after its build, but by then that will be our children's problem!!
  • Seroius (10/04/2013, 17:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Them serious taking Blade to court for this, would they had prefer him to break in their house? and am sure they themselves never picked those coconuts from those trees since they are there.
  • bvi (10/04/2013, 17:54) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    The owner probably dont have any use for the coconuts. Let the man pick the fruits and sell them for heaven's sake. I have some in my yard and I dont have time to pick them, so I let whoever can use them, pick them. Some people are so mean spirited, they would prefer to see the fruits rotten before they let someone pick them and eat them. What is this world coming to
  • Eduard (10/04/2013, 19:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can't get there fast enough to find money from the bank robbery but they get there quick for coconuts robbery.
  • SUSS (11/04/2013, 07:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    give he a breakayu dont see this man need some help .sometimes u see he stand up out there by bobby supermaket trying to hussle something to eat ayu know what hungry is like .bring he by balsum ghut is just wase a time.there is some places in the caribbean the land belong to u and people just walk in pick u stuff off the tree and if u the owner want it u have to pay.WHY. BECAUSE IT IS YOURS BUT U NEAVER CLIMED THE TREE.I MEAN HE SHOULD ASK FOR IT WHITCH IS RIGHT
  • eastender (11/04/2013, 09:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Peshee making the news
  • tt (11/04/2013, 10:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The days of the free lunch are over
  • light (11/04/2013, 12:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The moral of the story is 'don't take, what don't belong to you!'. Something we learn as infants, but as adults we blur the lines to suit our needs. You might say ' someone stole $100.00 from me' and another person would say ' leave them alone, it was only $100.00, you have more and probably didn't need it.' It still doesn't matter, big or small stealing is stealing. If it doesn't belong to you leave it alone, or ask!
    I personally don't like anybody on my property and if I had found him, I would have called the police also. Charging him with stealing is a good way to make sure that he doesn't come back!
  • Kendrina (11/04/2013, 17:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    give him a chance.
  • Ty-Rexx (12/04/2013, 10:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, sah! Well look "Ramon Death" mek the news. Picture all on the internet and thing! Hm. (Personally, I would have taken some of the nuts and shooed him away with the rest)
  • dog (12/04/2013, 11:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    $5000? really?

    I had a BVI electrictiy truck in my yard and man in my ginnip tree without permission. If he had asked, I would have agreed. but he was trasspassing (and breaking branches off the tree). this case is different because of the state of mind and severity of the fine which no one in his condition and circumstances can handle. there has to be a compromise. And this is only a symptom of a bigger problem of social support for the have nots.


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