Sibran Allen, a 20-year-old man from Chauncey, broke down in tears at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday as he was sentenced for stealing EC$9,000 from his 89-year-old neighbor, Ralph Williams. The emotional moment came after Senior Magistrate Colin John invoked their shared alma mater, St. Martin’s Secondary School (SMSS), during the sentencing.
Magistrate John, who also graduated from SMSS, addressed Allen directly, telling him, “You went to the same school I went to, and Mr. Connell went to.” Referring to the defendant’s potential, he said, “You sound like a very intelligent young man. Use that intelligence in a productive way, not for a life of crime.” John emphasized that Allen had been given opportunities and had a chance to turn his life around, urging him to do so. The magistrate’s words appeared to strike a chord with Allen, who wept openly in the courtroom, prompting a police officer to offer him a paper towel to wipe his tears.
Allen, who had spent two nights in prison awaiting sentencing, told the court that he was “not good” and described the conditions in jail as uncomfortable. He explained that both the sleeping arrangements and the food were inadequate, adding, “If an inmate could tell me round there is not for me, then round there is not for me.”
The court, however, handed down a sentence that could still offer Allen a chance for redemption. He was ordered to pay EC$10,015 within two months, or face three months in prison. The payment includes both fines and compensation to Williams for the stolen funds. Additionally, Allen was warned that any further offenses within the next six months would result in a nine-month prison sentence.
In a previous hearing, Allen had pleaded guilty to nine theft charges, amounting to EC$9,015—representing the total stolen from Williams’ bank account, along with the value of his ATM card. The thefts took place over several days in June 2023, during which Allen made multiple withdrawals using the stolen card.
Allen had no legal representation at his initial arraignment, but on Wednesday, attorney Grant Connell appeared on his behalf. Connell spoke of his client’s remorse and explained that Allen had confessed to the thefts in a statement to the police. The court heard that Allen had used Williams’ birth year as the PIN for the stolen ATM card, a detail he had known from their long-standing neighborly relationship.
Connell highlighted that Allen had been living in difficult circumstances, having graduated from St. Martin’s Secondary School in 2023 with six subjects, including math and English. He explained that Allen had worked at Sandals Resort for a year, saving money to enroll in college, but had to drop out due to financial difficulties. Since then, he had been employed in construction and was currently working at Pro Max Tire in Chauncey.
In court, Connell argued that Allen’s actions were not premeditated, noting that the theft was a breach of trust, but there were no aggravating factors. He emphasized Allen’s genuine remorse and young age, suggesting that he had learned a valuable lesson during his brief time in jail. “I don’t think he has been there long enough to truly understand what life behind bars is about,” Connell said, asking for leniency in sentencing. He also proposed that Allen be allowed to repay Williams in installments of EC$1,000 per month, a gesture which Allen had already expressed willingness to pursue.
The prosecutor, Corporal Devon Bute, disagreed with the suggestion to wipe Allen’s criminal record immediately, stating that the theft was planned and involved multiple instances of wrongdoing. “He knew what he was doing,” Bute said, adding that Allen had violated the trust of a vulnerable elderly person. He agreed, however, that compensation should be prioritized, so that Williams could recover the stolen money.
Magistrate John, while considering the defense’s arguments, ultimately decided on a sentence that included suspended prison terms for most of the charges, contingent on Allen’s ability to pay compensation within the specified time frames. For the theft of smaller sums, Allen was given three to six months in prison, suspended for the same length of time, along with financial compensation to Williams. The larger thefts, including withdrawals of EC$2,000, carried fines of EC$500 each, in addition to compensation payments.
The magistrate also ruled that the clothing items purchased with the stolen money could be returned to Allen once the full compensation was paid. In his final words to Allen, Magistrate John stressed the importance of seizing this opportunity to turn his life around: “I hope you take the chance that Mr. Williams gave to you and that the court gave to you. Use it wisely to enhance your future and contribute positively to your country and community.”
As the session concluded, Allen was left with a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions, and the hope that he could still find a path to redemption.
