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Towers fire: Alexander Jarvis charged with 2 counts of arson; denied bail

- Jarvis facing life imprisonment if found guilty
Alexander Jarvis appeared virtually before Magistrate Khadeen Palmer on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 for his arraignment hearing. Photo: VINO/File
Bail has been denied for Virgin Islander, 30-year-old Alexander Jarvis aka 'Bope', for his alleged involvement in the fire that destroyed an auto repair garage and a dwelling home at Towers, on the main island of Tortola, on January 19, 2022. Photo: VINO/File
Bail has been denied for Virgin Islander, 30-year-old Alexander Jarvis aka 'Bope', for his alleged involvement in the fire that destroyed an auto repair garage and a dwelling home at Towers, on the main island of Tortola, on January 19, 2022. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Bail has been denied for Virgin Islander, 30-year-old Alexander Jarvis aka 'Bope', for his alleged involvement in the fire that destroyed an auto repair garage and a dwelling home at Towers, on the main island of Tortola, on January 19, 2022.

The two complainants in this matter are Godfrey Gabriel who resides in Pockwood Pond and owns the garage and the second, Kareem Hall, who resided in the dwelling home that stood about three feet from the garage.

Jarvis, the accused, appeared virtually before Magistrate Khadeen Palmer on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 for his arraignment hearing.

The two counts of arson charges were only read for his information because the matter is indictable and will be dealt with at the high court before a judge and jury.

Altercation

According to the court earlier this month, there was a verbal altercation between the accused and the garage owner, when the accused promised to “burn down the place” since Mr Gabriel was acting like a bad man.

On the day in question at about 3.30 pm, Mr Gabriel (VC) was working in his garage, the same compound where the accused resides.

The accused allegedly entered his residence and came outside with a towel in his hand and accused the VC of using his towel. The VC was adamant that he did not use the said towel; however, the accused allegedly shouted at him, “You taking me for a joke, I’m going to burn down your place.”

Building on fire

The accused then entered a part of the residence and he later emerged with a red gas bottle in his hand and began sprinkling liquid from the bottle on the garage and then used matches to start a fire.

Seeing the fire, the VC who was close by, doused the freshly-lit fire with water from a nearby drum.

The VC then removed some vehicles belonging to customers and he went to the West End Police Station to make a complaint. He was then informed via telephone that his garage was on fire.

When the VC returned he met his garage on fire. He then rushed inside to remove a cylinder of gas but was unable to salvage anything else.

Substantial loss

Crown Counsel Kael London said the VC, Mr Gabriel, described his loss to be “substantial in the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.”

The fire also extended to the apartment of the second VC, Mr Kareem Hull, causing damages to the apartment and some of his personal belongings.

A person in the area reportedly saw when Jarvis lit the match and set the garage on fire, Mr London told the court.

Jarvis was later met and interviewed by officers of the West End Police Station and he denied the allegations about starting the fire or having an altercation with the complainant.

When he was charged he made no reply.

At the time of the fire, the accused’s father who is blind and an amputee suffering from diabetes was in the house and had to be rushed out due to the smoke.

Accused facing life imprisonment

The magistrate denied Jarvis bail despite his attorney Mrs Valerie Gordon arguing passionately that her client would be at risk if he is placed on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison, due to the COVID-19 outbreak there.

The magistrate said due to the strength of the Prosecution’s case and the seriousness of the offence, the accused is likely to abscond despite having ties here because he faces up to life in prison if found guilty.

“This time I will not make a bail offer,” she said, adding that Jarvis could also apply for bail at the Supreme Court.

She also ordered a mental health evaluation, as requested by Jarvis' father.

The matter was adjourned to February 24, 2022, for report, including a mental health report.

19 Responses to “Towers fire: Alexander Jarvis charged with 2 counts of arson; denied bail”

  • W*F (26/01/2022, 15:21) Like (31) Dislike (5) Reply
    He is facing life for burning a structure down and the pedophiles who rape young children getting couple years.
    So wrong
    • @ WTF (26/01/2022, 16:45) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      yu understand
    • @wtf (26/01/2022, 17:10) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      Don’t worry, the pedophiles time is coming soon. I was a victim of two pedophiles in my family, one is dead and the other one is shaking along on a cane and have to wear adult diapers for the rest of his miserable life. That is enough punishment for me. That is worse than sitting in jail.
      • Outsider (27/01/2022, 12:42) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        I cannot imagine what you have been through. Won't pretend to be able to.
        But if we're lucky we get old and suffer the indignities of old age. But those indignities are nothing to be ashamed of. I'd like to see your perpetrators named, shamed and held accountable; their names blackened forever. Long after they are dead.
  • Honestly (26/01/2022, 15:37) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a serious crime. His father could have been killed. He put everyone in danger. Arson is a very serious thing, the judge did the right thing by not granting bail.
  • photo??? (26/01/2022, 15:55) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    can pictures be posted so when you see him in your village you will be aware and call the fire truck
  • Greg (26/01/2022, 16:30) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    What a Idiot! Immature who cannot control his anger over a disagreement about a stupid towel. He could have killed people in the process. This is not acceptable on any level. He needs jail time regardless of Covid, since he did not care about people’s lives and property.
    • @Greg (26/01/2022, 21:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I’m here wondering who the 3 idiots are that dislike your comment. Their characters show that they are sick minded no lack of basic common sense people like he is. How is it that a person would set fire to someone’s property not once, but twice over something as simple as a towel.
  • @photo??? (26/01/2022, 17:02) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    It would help to show his picture but he is remanded without bail. After his trial he might be sentenced to life in prison so we don’t have to worry about seeing him in our villages. His goose is cooked. Let that be a example to anyone who think they can set fires and get away with it.
    • @@ photo (26/01/2022, 22:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      you sure mr man wont escape custody one fellow escape and was on the run for 4 years
  • if (26/01/2022, 21:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The owner did not manager to remove the cylinder of gas the whole neighborhood would have gone up in flames from a gas explosion.
    • Elsa (27/01/2022, 11:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It seems like he was able to remove the cylinder of gas but nothing else. Thank God he was able to remove that gas which would have caused an explosion and God knows what else.
  • Hurry (27/01/2022, 00:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put him away waste of sperm and nine months
    His sibling always complaining about him
    But yet still running like a fool to help he get out
    How many times he was reported
    For threating ayo
    The news miss that !
    The residents of that quite area will be @ peace now
    Maybe he feel he was bigger than the law
    Base on his previous encounter from what i understand
    • SMH (27/01/2022, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      should find out wa going on.... u talking about one side... coming from the side where the problem start in the first place
      • @SMH (27/01/2022, 18:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Shut your face... find out? You just don't know... people like you make me sick.
  • @Hurry (27/01/2022, 08:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well if he feel like he was bigger than the law, this time the law won. The law rid the community of a menace and a fire bug.
  • Paranoia1 (27/01/2022, 10:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    HUMAN NATURE:
    AND THE PROPENSITIES INVOLVED BY WHOM WERE THEY CREATED..

    WHO CREATED THE EGO AND THE TEMPERAMENT...

    FOR EACH CHILD BORNED TO PARENTS WITH AN BIRTH DATE SPECIFIC TO AN DATE OF BIRTH AND AN MONTH OF BIRTH
    IN AN PARTICULAR YEAR...

    AND AS AN MATTER OF CONSEQUENCE... ON AN PLANET..??? WITH AN ZODIACAL SYSTEM IN PLACE..????
  • A11 onez (27/01/2022, 13:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Man actually a decent hard working individual what just fall under hard times and battling things y'all have no idea about let's just hope he could get help and stay safe.


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