Kenrick Isles, 41, of Bath Estate pleads not guilty of malicious damage at last week’s unrest in Roseau

​Kenrick Isles, 41, of Bath Estate who was arrested and charged with malicious damage following last week Tuesday’s vandalism in the Capital city Roseau, pleaded not guilty in court yesterday. Isles had pleaded guilty after being arrested on Wednesday, 8thFebruary 2017, but changed his plea to not guilty on Tuesday, February 14, 2017.
 
During the unrest, nine business places were damaged and vandalized including the office of Attorney Duncan Stowe, where several windows were broken, and the damage was estimated at about $4,000.00. Attorney Ronald Charles who represented Isles, mitigated on his behalf, and stated that the defendant was very embarrassed by his actions, which were the results of poor judgment, and serious miscalculations for which the defendant was sorry.
 
Charles stated that Isles has a seven-year-old son with whom he has a very close relationship, even if he doesn’t reside with him permanently. He stated that should Isles go to jail, it would severely impact his relationship with his son.
 
He also said Isles is a self-employed huckster who travels back and forth to Martinique selling clothing items, and does sales and marketing for his aunt’s business at the Roseau Valley Inn.
 
Charles added, there is a heavy burden on Isles as he makes a significant financial contribution to his parents who are no longer employed, his sister who is studying overseas, his child, his girlfriend and her child.
 
Charles stated that it was important to note that the defendant did not deceive the police or the court as he admitted to what had transpired and cooperated fully with the police’s investigation.
 
Charles concluded by asking the court to be lenient in the circumstances, and not to impose a custodial sentence on Isles, as there are many people who are heavily dependent on him, and that he will remain on the right path, and will not commit another error in judgement, that would land him before the court again.
 
However, just before sentencing, Attorney Ronald Charles asked Magistrate Asquith Riviere for some time to speak with his client.
 
He was granted permission. After a conversation with his client, Charles told Magistrate Riviere that his client would like to address the court.
 
Isles then told the court that he would like to change his plea to ‘not guilty’. He was then read the two charges before him to which he pleaded not guilty.
 
Bail was then set at ten thousand dollars ($10,000), and the trial is scheduled for April 2017.