Elderly man begs that 20 year old who emptied his bank account not be jailed

A young man, who admitted to stealing his 89 year old neighbour’s bank card on the day that his wife died, and removing $9,000 in cash from his account, was remanded in custody for two days pending sentencing.

Chauncey resident, Sibran Allen, 20 appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John on November 11, 2024, where he pleaded guilty that between June 10 and June 12, 2024 at Chauncey, he stole the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG) Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card valued at $15. He also pleaded guilty to stealing EC$400, and EC$600 in cash on June 11, 2024, at Super J, Kingstown, and Mesopotamia respectively; EC$1,000 in cash at the bank’s Halifax and Reigate branched in Kingstown on June 12, 2024; $2,000 in cash on June 13, 2024 at Super J, Kingstown; $2,000 in cash on June 14, 2024 at Layou; and $2,000 in cash on June 15, 2024 at Layou, the property of Ralph Williams of Chauncey.

The facts are that Williams is the owner of a BOSVG savings account and ATM card, which contained $9,000 as of June 4, 2024. On June 20, 2024, Williams discovered that his card was missing, so he reported the matter to the bank’s head office only to learn that all his money was gone.

The matter was reported to the police. Investigations were carried out, and footage from the bank’s machines revealed the suspect to be Allen, who is Williams’ neighbour. After further investigations, Allen was arrested on suspicion, shown the photos and documents of himself in the act, cautioned, then interviewed in the presence of Justice of Peace, Stay.

The accused gave a caution statement indicating that he has known Williams since he was young, and frequents his home to help him with phone and ‘wifi’ issues. Allen said that Williams would give him his bank card to withdraw money for him. He told the court that he returned all the money and all the receipts to Williams after every transaction, except for one receipt.

Allen also told the court that after his mother “beg me like a dog to talk the truth,” he asked the police to disregard his initial statement, and gave a second one. In the latter statement, Allen said that Williams was just returning from a funeral when an orange envelope fell from him. Allen called out to Williams, but he the elderly man did not hear him.

Allen then picked up the envelope and saw Williams’ bank card inside. He went to Williams’ home with the card, but found that he was already asleep, so he left with the card and spent some of the money that was on the card. When he went back to Williams’ home, he was informed that Williams was out. Allen left the card on the table and informed Williams’ son that he will return to speak with his dad, but when Allen returned, he met the card on the table.

He then removed it from the table and headed to Kingstown where he made several transactions. Allen used the money to buy food for the home, and paid bills, then returned the card. Allen told the court that he also “squandered” the money by making purchases like a $550 pair of sneakers. Williams asked the court not to send Allen to prison as it would bring a disgrace to the village.

Instead, he asked the court to order compensation. However, he added that his wife died on the same day that Allen stole his card. Senior Magistrate John remanded Allen in custody for two nights pending sentencing. When Allen returns, he will “tell the court if he likes round there”.