Ajoy McDowall, 19, of Layou, was arrested and charged on six (6) counts of theft from Ronnie McDowall, his father.
Ronnie McDowall, the defendant’s father, is a member of the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Teacher’s Corporative Credit Union (SVGTCCU), where he had an account balance of $5012.72 EC dollars. On Friday June 25, 2021 he visited the Kingstown branch to deposit money to his account and discovered that his account balance was two thousand and forty-nine dollars and forty cents ($2049.40).
After making inquiries about his incorrect account balance, he was summoned to the manager’s office, where he was informed that he withdrew monies on six (6) different occasions from his account. He was then presented with letters addressed to the credit union supposedly written and signed by him.
Mr. McDowall was taken aback and refuted all claims that he has ever written any such letter or given anyone permission to withdraw monies from his account on his behalf. He was also informed that his son was the one who presented the letters along with his (Ronnie’s) national identification card.
When asked if he would like to say anything before proceeding with sentencing, the defendant stated that he has apologized to his father “a million times” and that he was trying to save money to join the army.
Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne then asked, “how are you going about getting in the army?” The young man responded saying that his friend was going to help him.
His friend, who is enrolled in the army, told him that he would have to pay his own passage but – if he can come up with $3000.00 – he would put the rest to help him to get in. The magistrate declared that she did not know that you have to pay anyone to gain entry into the army.
When asked, how did he spend the money? he explained that he gave it to the friend and the friend has already gone back and is trying to send back the money to the defendant but hasn’t gotten through as yet.
Magistrate Browne lamented “You too big for that! You big and you have enough sense.”
The virtual complainant was called to the stand where he exclaimed “me doh wah see he again, me ah Christian but God go forgive me, me doh even wah see he again!
“He make me have to burn my work to come here. All I ask is that you don’t send him ah jail. Give him time to pay back my money, I need my money in my account. Don’t send him ah jail cause if you send him ah jail my money dead!”
Magistrate Browne told the defendant “if you do not get this money your jail would be sure. You must pay for your actions.”
Ajoy McDowall pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.
He was ordered to repay $500.00 by August 13, 2021 for the March 17 theft. Failure to do so will result in his two months imprisonment.
McDowall would also have to reimburse his father for the theft of $700.00 on March 26, 2021 which must be repaid by August 27, 2021 or trigger a two-month jail term if he defaults.
The $500.00 theft which occurred on April 27, 2021 must be repaid by September 10, 2021 or another two-month incarceration would result.
For the May 18, 2021, theft of $700.00 to be indemnified no later than September 17, 2021, if the younger McDowall is able to replace this amount by that time.
On the count regarding the $500 theft on June 11, 2021, another two-month prison sentence would have to endured if he is unable to pay back this sum by September 23, 2021 or face another incarceration order for at least 2 months.
Additionally, Ajoy McDowall would have to return the $400.00 that was stolen on June 23, 2021, to be paid by 30th September, 2021, or enjoy Her Majesty’s pleasure for at least 2 months.
The sentences will run consecutively.