Lucian duo fined for feigning witchcraft to trick woman out of money, jewellery

The two Saint Lucians who used another woman’s belief in witchcraft to dupe her out of tens of thousands of dollars in cash and jewellery, have each been fined $25 000.

Earlier this year, Sabina Isaie, 51, also known as Sabina John of Grosvenor Road, Carrington Village, St Michael and Petular Henry, 50, of Chase Gap, Halls Road, St Michael were both found guilty by a jury of 11 counts of theft, money laundering and putting off forged documents.

These include that they stole $21 690 in cash, six rings, two bangles, one chain and one pair of earrings valued at $2 995 belonging to Cynthia St Juste; and one chain with pendant and four pairs of earrings valued at $459 belonging to Helen St Juste. They also disposed of the cash and jewellery, being the proceeds of theft, between March 27, 2018, and June 7, 2018.

They were also found guilty that between May 18, 2018, and June 7, 2018, with intent to defraud Republic Bank Barbados Limited, they put off a job letter and three payslips bearing the letterhead of 2 Advanced Electronics, knowing the same to be forged; that with intent to defraud Republic Bank Barbados Limited, they put off three credit union statements bearing the letterhead of the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Limited, knowing the same to be forged; that with intent to defraud Republic Bank Barbados Limited, they put off one estimate bearing the letterhead of Advanced Electronics (1992), knowing the same to be forged; and that with intent to defraud Republic Bank Barbados Limited, they put off a telephone bill bearing the letterhead FLOW, knowing the same to be forged.

The two were also convicted of stealing $300 in cash belonging to St Juste on March 27, 2018, and disposing of the stolen money between March 27, 2018 and June 7, 2018.

During the sentencing hearing in the No. 5 Supreme Court, Madam Justice Pamela Beckles spoke about the victim impact statement and noted that Cynthia St Juste had been contacted by the accused persons who claimed to be able to tell her the person responsible for stealing money from her.

St Juste, who is also Saint Lucian, said she had grown up hearing stories about witchcraft and found it easy to believe the accused and eventually developed a fear due to threats that the accused would harm her family members and dog.

“The complainant did not know at this stage that the accused were getting the information from her niece who was residing with her and who was the person stealing money from her and passing on the information to one of the accused’s daughters who would then relay it to her mother. She therefore did whatever the accused persons demanded from her and parted with her money, jewellery and even her mother’s jewellery. She stated that the circumstances of the case had caused her much embarrassment and ridicule from her family and members of the community,” Justice Beckles said.

The judge noted that St Juste, while suffering financial loss as a result of the incident, did not want any compensation but wanted the two women to be jailed for what they had done.

Justice Beckles gave a starting sentence of six years for both the theft and money laundering offences and three years for the charges of putting off forged documents. Two years were deducted for several factors, including the duo’s favourable pre-sentence reports, and credit was given for the 249 days they spent on remand.

“I do not consider either of you to be a threat to society and, therefore, can find no basis for further incarcerating either of you,” the judge said, noting their previously clean records, their roles as mothers and breadwinners for their families, and that they had been gainfully employed.

She also stated that the court could not ignore the fact that Isaie’s youngest son had many health challenges and depended on her for his care.

“Studies have shown that the imprisonment of a father or mother entails the forcible separation of a child from parents and therefore impacts on the child’s rights under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. The sentencing court, it has been said, should therefore obtain information on dependent children and then conduct a balancing exercise weighing the rights of potentially affected children against the seriousness of the parent’s offence. This court has obtained this information and is of the view that the further incarceration of Ms Isaie would have a detrimental effect on this child,” Justice Beckles argued.

She ordered the women to each pay $12 500 on the first theft charge with Isaie to pay $7 000 forthwith and the balance in five months, while Henry was required to pay $5 000 forthwith and was given six months to settle the balance.

Regarding the first money laundering charge, both women were given 12 months to pay $12 500.

Failure to pay either fine will result in three years imprisonment.

Isaie and Henry were convicted, reprimanded and discharged on the other theft and money laundering charges, while the putting off forgery charges were given as time served.

Isaie will return to court on April 24, 2025, for review and Henry on May 27, 2025.

Principal State Counsel Olivia Davis prosecuted the matter. The two accused, who were self-represented during the trial, were represented by  King’s Counsel Michael Lashley in the sentencing stages.