BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HIS Lordship Justice Errol Thomas told Dion ‘Ayatollah’ Stevens during his sentencing hearing at the Basseterre High Court yesterday (Feb. 17) that he should consider his three-year suspended sentence as a gift.
“You should be going to prison but because of what I heard today you will be spared,” Thomas told him.
Justice Thomas made that statement after he told Stevens that he would be given a chance for rehabilitation.
Stevens’ three-year suspended sentence was given on the condition that he should not be arrested for a similar crime during those three years; he will be under the supervision of Probation Officer Wingrove George; he will undergo counselling, he will be place on a 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew unless performing work duties, which include singing calypso; the probation officer will report any problems to the police and also call them for enforcement if he gets out of order.
Stevens was represented by Chesley Hamilton who called a character witness to speak on behalf of his client.
Attorney-at-Law and former minister of government Dwyer Astaphan said he has known Stevens for decades and their relationship is like that of a father to a son or an older brother to a younger one.
Astaphan also said he was Steven’s Best Man at his wedding and that he is a highly talented calypsonian.
“He won the senior crown on several occasions as is known as one of the better performers in the arena. People also see him as the Street’s King. He is not a bad person, he has had a checkered life and has an addictive personality where he is a heavy drinker and smoker of cigarettes,” he said.
Astaphan said that he looked at Steven’s situation and viewed him as an individual who needs support in a structured environment and not a prison sentence.
The popular three-time crowned national calypsonian and former Leeward Island king did not waste the court’s time and pleaded guilty on Thursday (Feb. 3) to the charges of building breaking and larceny.
According to the facts read in court, Stevens broke and entered Kimberly Gumbs’ S&M Snackette on June 23, 2010 and stole a red Tropical Delight juice, one pair of ladies ‘slappers’, EC$46 and assorted food to the value of EC$66. The Snackette is situated in George Street, Newtown.
The virtual complainant, who is also a chef, secured her home, which also houses her Snackette, and went to sleep on the night in question.
During the course of the night she woke up, visited the bathroom and noticed the backdoor was open and saw the shadow of someone hiding behind the counter.
“Don’t run I see you!” Gumbs shouted.
The court learnt that she ran for her cellular phone to call the police and the accused got up and ran, but she was able to hold on to him while talking to the police.
“Come quick I got Ayatollah!” she said, but he was unable to get away from her.
“Sing songs to inspire youth and about keeping away from crime, you should be setting an example,” His Lordship told Stevens.
