By Cherisse Sutton
Reporter - SKNVibes.com
~~adz:Left~~ (Basseterre; St. Kitts): Rupert "Skilful" Bridgewater of Neverson Street, New Town was sentenced to three years for burglary, yesterday Feb. 8.
Before the trial started Crown Counsel Reanald Benjamin asked His Lordship Francis Belle for the case to be heard at a later date because one of the Prosecution's main witnesses, Sean Browne was absent due to an illness. Judge Belle objected to this and so did Bridgewater who said he wanted the case to be over with as soon as possible because he was innocent.
Bridgewater was charged with burglary, which was committed on Sep. 10, 2006 at the home of Wybert Herman.
It was alleged that on the said date Bridgewater broke into Herman's home and stole a Motorola cellular phone valued at EC$300.
Herman said that around 6 p.m. on the evening of the said date he was at home in his apartment which is divided into three parts and occupied by himself, the accused and one other person.
He said he was watching the television and lying in bed and at around 10 p.m. he started getting sleepy so he locked his doors and turned off his TV.
Herman who stammered throughout his testimony did his best to speak about the events of that night.
"I woke up about 4 a.m. and threw back the door, but the blind door was opened still," he said. "I went back on the bed with half my feet on the ground 'cause I didn't want to fall asleep" said Herman.
He continued: "Then just before five I feel somebody touch me, then when I got up I saw the accused inside me house. I scuff him and ask him wha' he doing in me house? And he did not answer. He walk back out de door."~~adz:Right~~
Herman said he told Bridgewater that he was going to call the police and when he was about to take up his cell phone he realized that it was missing even though he had seen it earlier when he awoke.
He said he then went to the police station and made a report and two officers, Sergeant Edward Drew and Officer Sean Browne accompanied him back to his house.
He added that when the officers arrived at the house the accused told them, "Go out me house you all ain' got no warrant."
Sergeant Drew testified that before they entered Bridgewater's home they called him several times but he did not answer.
He said that they then shined a flashlight into the house and saw the accused laying on a mattress on the floor. Both officers then agreed to enter the house because they thought the accused was dead.
The accused then got up and told them to get out of his house to which they did and came back with a warrant.
The Sergeant was then asked by the accused who represented himself what evidence was there that Herman indeed had a cell phone.
~~adz:Left~~ Drew said Herman showed him where the phone was charging but couldn't remember if he saw a charger or the cell phone's number when asked.
Bridgewater decided not to testify but in addressing the court he said, "I am defending myself because I don't know what these people talking about. I asked Herman what time this thing happen he say just before five. I ask Drew and he say Herman made the report five past four. I can't be Superman to come in he place in such a short time when he say he wake up 4'o clock."
He continued: "I asking ya'll to judge me fair - Drew has no evidence of the charger, he cant remember the number and he come into court to convict me; these are things to remember."
"They have no concrete evidence to charge me; people look deeply into your heart and judge me with fairness and justice since I didn't get any justice from the police," Bridgewater said.
