Nine months behind bars for repeat offender

Moments after being sentenced to nine months in Dodds Prison for stealing thousands of dollars in cash and property from a tourist, James Jonah Josiah Sandiford struggled with police officers as they escorted him from a Bridgetown Magistrates Court.

Before the doors of the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates Court fully closed behind him following his sentence, the 35-year-old, who has no fixed place of abode, began loudly protesting the jail term and tried to pull away from the officers. He kept complaining as they quickly took him to the cells.

Sandiford admitted to stealing a BDS$500 bag, a US passport worth US$150, 12 keys valued at BDS$60, a Barbados driver’s licence worth BDS$125, US$850 in cash, BDS$1 200 in cash, three lip balms valued at BDS$15 and a pair of earphones worth US$60, all belonging to Caleb Applewhaite, as well as a key fob valued at BDS$1 000 belonging to Go Car Investment Limited. The total value was BDS$5 020. He also admitted to assaulting Applewhaite, with both offences occurring on August 19.

In addition, he pleaded guilty to being in possession of apparatus fit for the misuse of cocaine the following day.

Prosecutor Sergeant Victoria Leacock told the court that the complainant, an American visitor, went to the Hot Pot with his girlfriend. They took a beach bag with them from the car and put it on a pallet near the pool. Three other people, including the accused, were at the pool.

After Applewhaite entered the water, the accused left the pool and went to the pallet, pretending he had something there. Sandiford knocked over the beach bag, took items from it and walked away, putting them in a black plastic bag. When Applewhaite saw the bag had fallen, he checked it and found items missing. He followed Sandiford and asked for his property. Sandiford told him to stay away and threatened him with a pair of scissors, causing Applewhaite to fear for his life.

Applewhaite reported the matter to police and provided a description of the perpetrator.

The next day, Sandiford was spotted in Black Rock and arrested. Police found the apparatus in his trousers pocket.

He took police to an area in Goodland where he had discarded the plastic bag. Inside, they found several items, including bank cards and the complainant’s passport. The money was not recovered.

Sandiford, who had 47 previous convictions, the last which was in August 2025, blamed the theft on his drug addiction and apologised for his actions.

“I am an outpatient of the Psychiatric Hospital and I on cocaine. I get real prickle and I real sorry. I did want money to smoke. I carry de police to get back de bag wid de passport and the other things. I asking for little help to go to Psychiatric Hospital or Verdun House,” he said.

Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick replied: “You can get professional help at the prison. There is a drug treatment programme up there.”

The magistrate sentenced Sandiford to nine months in prison for the theft and told him: “Whatever is necessary up there, take part in and make sure you make yourself a better person.”

Sandiford was convicted, reprimanded and discharged on the other two charges.

(JB)