Anthony “Bwillay and Fyar” Scotland of Pointe Michel has pleaded guilty to theft of candles and candle holders at the National Shrine in Pointe Michel. The total value of $276.00
PERTINENT FACTS
St Luke Parish Catholic Church is represented by Sandra Lantan female adult of Pointe Michel. She is employed as an administrative clerk at Mac Services Ink in Roseau.
She is the sacristan of the St Luke Parish Catholic Church in Pointe Michel. She lives in Poree, Pointe Michel.
Sometime in the past, the St Luke Parish Catholic Church purchased six black candle holders with glass shades at a cost of EC$136.00 per set (black holder and shade).
They also purchased a few candles at EC$2.00 per candle.
The complainant is tasked with many responsibilities including the preparation of the altar for mass which includes the lighting and putting away of candles.
On Friday 24th February 2023 about 7:30 p.m. after Friday night mass at the St Luke Parish Catholic Church, the complainant blew off all the candles which she lit for mass and then put them into the Ambo.
There were six (6) candles in candle holders and their shades. These candles are owned by the St Luke Parish Catholic Church. The complainant packed them up, closed the Ambo, and covered the altar. She packed up everything else, locked the church, and went home.
On Sunday 26th February 2023 at about 7:00 a.m. the complainant arrived at the said church to prepare for Sunday mass. She entered the church and went to the sacristy.
She then went into the sanctuary, uncovered the altar, and then opened the Ambo. She then saw (4) four out of the (6) six candles with their holder and shades in the Ambo. The complainant took the four (4) candles with their holder and shades lit them and placed them in their possession. She conducted a further search of the area but did not find the other two (2) candles with their holders and shades. The complainant then called her assistant, Sonia Williams, and the parish priest, Father Thaddeus Mama.
The two missing candles with their holders and shades were not found.
The complainant searched several other areas in the church during the following week but did not find the missing candles with the holders and shades.
On Friday 3rd March 2023 about 9:30 a.m. the complainant called the Pointe Michel Police Station and made a report. Constable Durand D. who was on duty at the time was detailed in investigating.
At about 9:40 a.m. on that same day Constable Durand D. went on duty at the St Luke Parish Catholic Church where he met and had a conversation with the complainant.
She brought the Officer into the church and showed him the Ambo and told him something. The Officer made certain observations and left.
Acting on information Constable Durand along with Cpl Blaize went on duty at the home of the defendant. On their arrival at his home Cp Blaize called out the defendant’s name and he answered and said “come in.”
The officers entered the home of the defendant and met him sitting on his toilet. While entering constable Durand saw (1) one candle with its holder and shade which fit the description of the ones which are missing from the church on an old chest freezer in the defendants’ living room. The Officer also saw another candle with its holder and shade in an empty room. Officer Durand was able to see into the room since there were no room doors.
Officer Durand identified himself to the defendant as a Police officer as he was dressed in plain clothes and introduced the other officer to the defendant. Officer Durand informed the defendant of the report which he was investigating, and he replied, “I doh have light, two candles I take in the church you can take them.”
Officer Durand informed the defendant that he was arresting him on suspicion of theft and cautioned him. He replied, “For what, two candles I take in the church. All you going to take me court for two candles.” Officer Durand took the two candles with their holder and shades. While Officer Durand was securing them one of the shades fell and broke. The officers then transported the defendant to the St Luke Parish Catholic Church at Pointe Michel and in the presence of the complainant, Officer Durand asked the defendant to show him where he took the candles with their holders and shades. He pointed to the Ambo and said, “In that I take it.” He was then transported to the Roseau Police Station where he was searched and placed in Police cells. The officers then went back to the Pointe Michel Police Station.
A piece of tape was placed on each candle, each holder, and the shade. The defendant was invited to place his initials and date on the tape which was placed on the items which he did.
MITIGATION
“I am doing some renovation in my house and have a temporary circuit board, I usually take water by the church and needed some light so went in the church and took the candles…I know it was wrong, I won’t do it again, I will pay for it, I am sorry,” he said. He stated that he never expected that to reach “so far.”
Sentencing
Before sentencing Magistrate Michael Laudat reminded him that he had six months suspended sentence for one year imposed on February 19, 2023, by a Magistrate and hence that must be “activated”.
“There is nothing I can do to help you, you must activate that suspended sentence and you have to serve six (6) months in prison,” the magistrate stated.
“I wish I could help you, but you are not behaving yourself, it is the Lenten season, a time for reflection, people putting their candles in church for light and you stealing them…you need to stay away from the church, so you won’t be tempted.”
“For the theft of the candles and shades you are sentenced to 23 months in jail to run consecutively with your six months, while you are in prison reflect on your life, go and sin no more and when people put candles in church leave them alone,” the Magistrate told him.