Dutch ‘menace’

Deemed a danger and menace to society, a Dutchman was fined a total of $40 000 for gun and ammo offences and ordered deported from Barbados.

Madam Justice Pamela Beckles on Thursday handed down the sentence on Harold Vernon Christobal Sint Jago who had previously pleaded guilty to having an illegal firearm and 13 rounds of ammunition on June 22, 2021, in St Philip.

According to police records, Sint Jago, who is from The Netherlands, has convictions both in Barbados and his homeland.

The convicted gunman was given a starting sentence of eight years, or 2 910 days, in prison for the possession of the gun and three years, or 1 095 days, for the ammunition.

He was credited for the 507 days he had already spent on remand at Dodds and also given a one-third discount for his guilty plea, leaving him with three years, 342 days left in jail for the gun and 223 days for the ammunition.

“Having thoroughly reviewed all the circumstances of your case, including the seriousness of your previous convictions and the fact that you have a limited grasp of the English language, therefore making it difficult for you to participate in any rehabilitative programmes, the court believes that justice will be served in this case with the imposition of substantial fines signalling society’s disapproval and intolerance for such offences,” Justice Beckles, speaking through an interpreter, told the Dutchman.

“This, coupled with the immediate deportation order with the hope that you never set foot on this island again, would do justice in this case as you are indeed a danger and menace to society,” the High Court judge added.

Justice Beckles then imposed a forthwith fine of $30 000 for the firearm and an immediate $10 000 for the ammunition.

The money was paid.

Sint Jago was represented by King’s Counsel Michael Lashley and attorney Justin Leacock. State Counsel Kevin Forde was the prosecutor.