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Man steals pigtail for woman in aftermath of Irma; Fined $3,000

Junior Watson, left, leaving the Magistrate's Court. He is facing up to six months at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) if he does not pay a $3,000 fine. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- An elderly man who admitted to stealing groceries, including pigtail for a woman after Hurricane Irma, is facing up to six months at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) if he does not pay a $3,000 fine.

Junior Watson was caught on surveillance cameras at Road Town Wholesale Trading Ltd when he stole $50 worth of grocery items, including two loaves of bread and a flashlight.

Prosecutors said the incident occurred on September 22 2017, sixteen days after the passage of the catastrophic Hurricane Irma.

“Just the pigtail I didn’t pay for. I was trying to help someone. She was desperate after [Hurricane] Irma,” he told the court last week.

Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste-DaBreo told the unrepresented man that the fine must be paid by October 13, 2019 or he would be sent to prison.

His matter was adjourned to October 14, 2019 for reporting purposes, including to determine whether the fine was paid.

Magistrate DaBreo also ordered Watson to compensate Road Town Wholesale Trading Ltd the $50 for the stolen groceries.

32 Responses to “Man steals pigtail for woman in aftermath of Irma; Fined $3,000”

  • Send me up (16/09/2019, 09:01) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    I was going jail to get free food and get fat of tax payers ... This is ridiculous
  • Well Sah (16/09/2019, 09:19) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    mean while our homeboy dagou alone up the jail
  • wow (16/09/2019, 09:54) Like (41) Dislike (6) Reply
    Our justice system is a joke! Don’t support stealing but unlike the many he stole food. They didn’t take a laptop, tv, Microwave,washer,dryer or a car but food. I will help them out by paying a percentage of the fine...
    • Lilly (16/09/2019, 10:36) Like (17) Dislike (23) Reply
      Stealing is stealing
      • @ lily (16/09/2019, 18:27) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
        I agree with you but discretion can be exercised. After the hurricanes I am sure many people were in panic mode wondering if there was enough food in this place to sustain. The man didn’t steal TV, jewelry, it was $50 worth of food and a flashlight. If he worked for them then show him the tape and dock his pay and fire him if you want. Maybe everyone is different, but I just think the court could have been avoided where he could just pay them back. Just my opinion.
    • Hmmm (16/09/2019, 10:58) Like (38) Dislike (4) Reply
      I'm willing to pay $200 to help cover the $3,000 fine. He stole food. Although I don't support stealing. I will try and locate him. Hope other will help. Send the one's who stell electronics and other stuff to Bolo.
      • Peaches (17/09/2019, 11:32) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        God bless your heart Hodgie. That fine is too harsh. The Court is soon going to be publishing their Sentencing Guidelines. Let's see what they have to say.
  • Forward ever Backward never (16/09/2019, 11:39) Like (45) Dislike (4) Reply
    A $3,000 fine for stealing $50 worth of food? After Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2 cat 5), people were stressed to their limits. There are still people today who has not completely recovered, I am sure that gentleman is probably one of them, and to add this hardship of finding $3,000 to pay this fine is Heartless. If 100 persons donate $30 each that will be a blessing for Watson. We are not a heartless community. Please let us organize to relieve this gentleman of this financial burden. God bless us all.
    • joke (16/09/2019, 14:52) Like (5) Dislike (19) Reply
      this man is a Seven day Adventist guy and he stealing Pig Tail for a friend. How funny is that !!!
      • Hmm (16/09/2019, 15:01) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
        You find this funny huh! He said he was doing it for a woman who had it hard. Wow, we are so quick to make fun of people. I am sure you owe someone money. Please check your conscience.
        • joke (16/09/2019, 15:25) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
          this man was working at rite way when he stole and was getting paid .... why will he steal when he could of buy the item to help the lady that he claim he was helping.
      • chad (16/09/2019, 15:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        That means he is talking the truth
      • A seven day Adventist (16/09/2019, 15:54) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
        Since when he sa Seven Day Adventist thsts news to me and I'm going to the church for a long time.
      • ha (16/09/2019, 20:18) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
        Thats the "Power of the Pussy" read the book.
  • Help (16/09/2019, 11:40) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Someone please post a way to reach this man!! I pledge $500.00 towards his fine!! TIA (Thanks In Advance)
  • GG (16/09/2019, 13:21) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    $50? For food? They couldn’t let that go?
  • NezRez (16/09/2019, 14:22) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Start a Go Fund Me for him ASAP and we all can donate the $30 for this poor man. Hurry, time is of the essence. October is right around the corner. $3000 is so very sad. The judicial system is off. They just let someone get a lesser sentence for a much more serious offense.
  • justic (16/09/2019, 14:49) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    if this was done to you will feel the same??.. we just got over Irma and first thing on this guy mind is to steal.
    • forgive (16/09/2019, 21:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I can forgive when is food....mean you must be hungry
    • Hmm (19/09/2019, 12:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      He steal food he could not have meat home without electricity he had to eat bread was not available too. So when he see it thats how maybe he took it.
  • NezRez (16/09/2019, 19:24) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ justic, yes, I would still feel the same. I've been stolen from so many times. I feel the fine was excessive. If a person in the court system has no sympathy for certain situations, then they should be Executioners not Judges.
    • NezRez (16/09/2019, 22:14) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      I will be at the court tomorrow to give my donation. Any little bit helps people. We might be hit by another horrific hurricane and you don't know what desperation is until it hits you. I still have only a partial roof, but my small donation won't put it back on, so why not help someone else.
  • Go after the fu"&#ing Insurers NOT the hungry (16/09/2019, 23:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go after the fu"&#ing Insurers NOT the hungry
  • mikkkk (17/09/2019, 03:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stealing is a crime. point.
  • Hmm (17/09/2019, 09:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bread was not available after the hurricane they man should not have to pay so much fine for food. Lord help us all.
  • Mark (17/09/2019, 13:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man thief survival food not tv and cellphone. This didn't have to go to court. What a waste of time.
  • louis (17/09/2019, 21:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    So now you all want to help him 'pay' his fine but if he had asked you for the money to buy the pigtail you would cuss him
  • HELP HIM (18/09/2019, 22:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can we get together and help pay the fine
  • Hmm (19/09/2019, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The man said just the pigtail he did not paid for so i guess he paid for the brwad and flashlight. So i guess the pigtail was worth $50.


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