A recent theft incident at the popular Valley Church Beach in Antigua has reached a judicial conclusion, resulting in divergent outcomes for two individuals charged. Damien Henry, a 24-year-old resident of Bathlodge, has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after entering a guilty plea for larceny. The ruling was delivered by Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel, finalizing the case against him.
In a contrasting development, Terry Williams, a 20-year-old from Nut Grove who was jointly accused, was absolved of all charges. The court formally withdrew the allegations against Williams, declaring him not guilty of any involvement in the criminal act.
The incident unfolded on a Tuesday afternoon when two tourists reported the theft of their personal bag while they were engaged in swimming activities. According to official reports, a witness promptly alerted security personnel after observing an individual seize the bag and rapidly depart the scene in an orange Honda Fit vehicle.
Law enforcement agencies from both Bolans and Johnson’s Point police stations initiated a coordinated response to the theft report. Their efforts culminated in the successful interception of the suspect vehicle in the Johnson’s Point area shortly after the crime was committed. Police apprehended both men present in the vehicle and successfully recovered the stolen bag with all its contents intact, returning the property to the rightful owners.
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding tourist security at popular Caribbean destinations while demonstrating the effectiveness of inter-station police cooperation in responding to criminal activities. The judicial outcome illustrates the system’s capacity to both punish confirmed offenders while protecting the rights of those wrongly accused.