Born-again Christian found guilty

User Rating:  / 0

Details

Parent Category: Nov 2011

Category: Week ending Nov 05th, 2011

Hits: 688

Marian resident Roger Thompson has lost the battle with one of the six criminal cases sent to the High Court for trial by Chief Magistrate Tamara Gill earlier this year.

 Thompson, a born-again Christian, was found guilty last week Wednesday by a nine-member jury for housebreaking, and robbery with violence.

 The jury that comprised six women and three men returned a unanimous guilty decision on both counts at High Court Number One presided over by Madam Justice, Clare Henry.

 The convicted man forced himself into the dwelling house of Joan Sylvester who resides at Hill Top, Calivigny, St. George’s on September 2, 2010 and held her at knife-point before proceeding to rob her of cash and items amounting to just over $11,000.00.

 The court heard that upon getting out of her bed at about 7:00 a.m., Sylvester who is a former Director of Independence Agencies Limited proceeded to unlock a wrought-iron gate that is located on the inside of her house when Thompson, armed with a knife, proceeded to hold her around the neck.

 In the evidence led by Legal Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Dionne Lawrence-Pivotte, the accused man who was wearing a mask told his hostage that he was a member of a gang, and that he was sent to get money.

 Thompson managed to take away $200 in cash, a necklace with a pendant valued at $10,927.00, two bottles of whiskey, other liquor, milk and honey.

 The court was told that the convicted man gained entry into the house through a right side window.

 Thompson was arrested by Police Investigators from the South St. George Police Station six months following the incident, but according to a police statement that was tendered into evidence, he consistently denied breaking into the house.

 At the trial that lasted just two days, Thompson elected not to say anything in his defense. Justice Henry reserved sentencing for November 10.

 However, the convicted man is currently serving a term of imprisonment that was handed down on him by Magistrate Gill earlier this year for a number of lesser offenses.

 A painter by profession, Thompson allegedly went on a rampage over a two-year period, 2009 to 2011 - breaking into a number of homes in the south-eastern end of the country and taking away mainly food, money, electronic items and apparel.

 He still has another five cases pending with a total of ten counts.

 One of the cases involves a break-in at the home of retired High Court Judge, Justice Lyle St. Paul in which he took away a licensed firearm and jewelry. 

• < Prev
• Next >