Reginald “Megs” Jean Jacques, who pleaded guilty to “theft,” was slapped with a forthwith fine of $9,000.00 on March 24, 2026, and now has until November 30, 2026, to repay the balance of $11,000.00 to now 91 years old Cuthbert Joseph.
Brief Facts from the court
The complainant Cuthbert Joseph resides in St Aroment with his wife and knows the accused Reginald “Megs” Jean Jacques, who is the nephew of his wife. Joseph was 83 years old in 2018 and a retired carpenter.
Megs, in 2018, was 52 years old and on March 20, 2018, came to Joseph’s home with the son of Cuthbert (Roy Frampton). Cuthbert Joseph has been residing in the basement of his house since the upper floor was destroyed by Hurricane Maria.
His children, who resided in England, sent him a 20-foot container that was at Woodbridge Bay Port awaiting clearance. The complainant (Joseph) had a conversation with Jean Jacques, who then informed him that he was “a customs broker” and would assist him in clearing the container.
After listening to him, he was advanced a first set of monies for the clearing of the container, he returned for a second and third set of money, with the final figure totally $16,325.25.
The amount of money was given to him between March 20, 2018, and April 13, 2018.
Not getting his container, the complainant Cuthbert Joseph went to the Woodbridge Bay Port to inquiry of the container on April 13, 2018, and to his dismay, found that no monies were paid to the port and his container was still waiting to be cleared. He then made a report to the police about the matter, resulting in the arrest of Jean Jacques.
The matter came up for hearing before Justice Sejilla McDowall, where Jean-Jacques, who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty to the offence of theft.
As a result, Wayne Norde decided to represent him “amicus’ (meaning he will represent him as a friend of the court free of charge)
Before sentencing, Norde conducted a “means test” with Jean Jacques to find out his capabilities to pay since the victim said he wanted his money back.
The court heard that he was a “litter warden” who was willing to pay compensation of $20,000.00 to Joseph and would pay a lump sum of $9,000.00 with $1,000 monthly. However, the Judge posited that given the age of the victim, she needed the balance paid as soon as possible. Jean-Jacques also stated that he bred rabbits and also had a part-time job with National Pest.
Sentencing
Before delivering her final decision, the Judge told Jean-Jacques that he abused his trust, the VC was ‘shocked, deeply hurt, stressed, and disappointed by his actions.”
“He trusted you, and you took advantage of him, and now, aged 91, he is emotionally stressed and can’t forget the incident,” the Judge stated.
In computing her sentence, the Judge stated that Jean-Jacques is now “remorseful and is not a dangerous individual,” but his intentions were “purely cruel”. She then gave a starting sentence of 2 years and added one to it, then scaled it down by one, bringing it back to two years. Ten months was deducted for his guilty plea, plus a brief time spent in custody, bringing it down to one year, 5 months, 10 days.
Order of the court
Compensation of $20,000.00
$9,000.00 must be paid forthwith on March 24, 2026
$7,000.00 must be paid on or before July 31, 2026
$4,000.00 must be paid on or before November 30, 2026
The full payment MUST be no later than November 30, 2026
He was also given a suspended sentence of 1 year, 5 months, and 10 days for two years. If convicted of any offence that carries a sentence of more than six months in jail over the next two years, that suspended sentence will be activated, plus what the court hands down will have to be served.