Three St. Cyr’s men were brought before Chief Justice Candia Carrette-George in the Roseau Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 on a joint charge of Theft.
Kurt Valmond, Harkim Sanford and Leonford Sanford were jointly charged for Theft of diesel belonging to Sortradom Company Ltd., commonly known as ‘ Gadhakan’.
On Thursday 25th May, 2023, the three men devised a plan to steal diesel belonging to the aforementioned company. Kurt Valmond used his bus, reg# HE 663, to transport the two other men to Crayfish River where ‘Gadhakan’ is currently building culverts as part of a road project. Kurt Valmond arrived at the storeroom site about 9:00pm and dropped off the Sanford men with three (3) empty five-gallon plastic containers.
Kurt Valmond then drove off and left the others at the site. Harkim Sanford pressed the drain plug of one of the company’s excavators which was parked on the site and diesel was extracted from the machine. The three containers were quickly filled and Harkim and Leonford awaited their getaway driver.
While waiting, they were confronted by the on duty security officer, Theodore Thomas at approximately 9:40pm. Thomas urged them to return the stolen diesel or risk police intervention but they purposely ignored his warning and left with Valmond who returned shortly after.
The following morning, the security officer informed his supervisor of the incident and a report was made at the Salybia Police Station at approximately 6:39am.
Constable C. Jno Charles was detailed to investigate the matter and later that day, at approximately 8:03am, went to the home of Kurt Valmond, with other Police Officers in tow. After being cautioned and informed of the ongoing report under investigation, Kurt Valmond replied, “Officer, Gully tell me to drop him Crayfish RIver to get some Diesel, he say he have a deal with a partner.”
Valmond was arrested on suspicion of Theft and transported to the Salybia Police Station, where he was searched and placed in the station cells.
About 8:14am the same morning, acting on information received Officer Jno Charles went on duty at Horseback Ridge along with other police officers and met with Leonford Sanford. After being cautioned and informed of the ongoing report under investigation, Leonford Sanford replied, “Officer I had to come to the station to check you, I wasn’t part of that.”
He was shortly arrested on suspicion of Theft and was transported to the Salybia Police Station, searched then placed in the cells.
About 10:15 am, Constable Jno Charles met with Harkim Sanford at the Salybia Police Station. After being cautioned and informed of the ongoing report under investigation he confessed, “Officer, I take the diesel from the excavator.” He was then arrested on suspicion of Theft, searched and subsequently placed in the Salybia Police station holding cells.
Investigations continued and the now-imprisoned men were interviewed; they disclosed the locations of the three containers. Jno Charles , accompanied by other police officers, firstly went to the home of Kurt Valmond at St. Cyr. Valmond handed over one blue and one yellow five-gallon container. Later that day, he went on duty at the home of Harkim Sanford at St. Cyr. Sanford handed over one blue five-gallon plastic container. All of the containers were returned empty.
At 6:20 pm of that same day, Harkim and Leonford Sanford were transported to the Wesley Police Station.
On Monday 29th May, 2023, about 8:00 am Constable Jno Charles went on duty at the Wesley Police Station and informed the two Sanford men that they, along with Kurt Valmond, were believed to have committed theft and charges were preferred against them.
They all plead guilty to the charge when they were brought before Chief Justice Candia Carrette-George. During the mitigation process Harkim, the older of the Sanford men, profusely apologized for his action, “Your Honor, I am very sorry for my action and I am sorry for wasting your time.”
Each of the three St. Cyr men were ordered to pay a sum of sixty-five dollars and thirty-five cents (ECD$65.35) forthwith or one week imprisonment. Harkim Sanford was ordered to pay three hundred dollars (ECD$300.00) by June 30th, 2023 or one month imprisonment by default.
Leonford Sanford and Kurt Valmond were both was ordered to pay four hundred dollars (ECD$400.00) by June 30th, 2023 or one month imprisonment by default.
Chief Justice Candia Carrette-George explained that Harkim Sanford was given a discount due to his remorse for his actions.
