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Former Immigration Officer sentenced to 30 months for robbing woman

Hanley

Former Immigration Officer Donald Hanley has been sentenced to 30 months at Her Majesty’s Prison for robbing a woman in March last year.

The Virgin Gorda man’s sentence is to take effect from the date that he was first placed on remand, Justice Ann Marie Smith ruled on Friday.

In addition to the prison term, Hanley was ordered to pay the complainant $2,000 for the items that were reportedly stolen during the robbery.

He has up to January 2, 2020, to make the payment, or in default, he will spend an additional two months at the adult penitentiary.

Justice Smith also ordered him to write a letter of apology to the complainant.

In the meantime, his previous convictions, the fact that offence occurred at night and was a targeted and planned attack were aggravating factors that were considered in the sentencing.

Wanted cash to pay bank

Hanley admitted to the court that he chose to rob a female of $800 because he needed money to pay the bank.

When asked why he chose to steal instead of reaching out to his family for help, Hanley told the court through his attorney Patrick Thompson that he wanted to handle the situation on his own.

He said he did not want to burden his family with his troubles because they had responsibilities of their own.

What the court heard happened

The court heard that on the night in question, Hanley went to his mother’s apartment, which is close to where the complainant lived. While there, he changed into dark clothing and using a cloth, he covered his face and laid in wait.

The court heard that the complainant was almost home when he pounced on her and snatched her bag.

A scuffle ensued between the two, and the complainant was able to remove Hanley’s disguise before he ran off with her bag containing the cash. Hanley’s girlfriend then provided him with a ride home.

A report was subsequently made to the police and Hanley was arrested and charged for the offence.

His DNA was later extracted from the article of clothing which placed him at the scene, the court further heard.

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15 Comments

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  1. Anonymous says:

    He crazy

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  2. Roy says:

    Wait, now two guys who have kids with the same girl are going to Balo!!!!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Mister have a jumbie…..nooooo man

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  4. More than crazy says:

    Men don’t go around snatching women purses. As a man, we are suppose to protect women against things like that. Look at that, now you sitting in jail going through retail withdrawal. All that material stuff that you were chasing behind and had to have,POOF. ran off.

    Like 22
  5. Karma says:

    Stop run down big life if yo can’t afford it

    Like 14
  6. Hmmmm says:

    But this is more of a burden that asking them or owing them. Hope you learn from your mistakes

  7. Dread says:

    Will be interesting to see if he is man enough to pay the fine or just stay the additional 2 months.

    • @Dread says:

      I think Mr.fly boy has been is going to do the extra 2 months. Where is he going to get the two grand another run by purse snatching?

  8. Bighie says:

    Does he get his job back after he does the time?

  9. Hmmm says:

    Why didn’t he sell that big cow chain around his neck?

  10. geeze says:

    Why they feel cow chain makes the man in the VI?

  11. uyt says:

    Hold the girlfriend… she was part of the plan

  12. GWEN says:

    This is what happens when you live above your means, and try to keep up with the Jones’. Imagine an Immigration Officer stealing from people. This is bad business. Does not send a good message for tourists. Lock him up and fire him. If you cant trust an immigration officer who can you trust?
    He should have been working a second job if he was in so much debt that he had to steal.

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