Man who threatens business owner sentenced

A 42-year-old man who threatened a businessman with a machete over $10 has been put on a two-year bond to keep the peace.

Steadwin Coakley was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to criminal trespass, using threatening language, disorderly conduct, and two counts of being armed with an offensive weapon.

He answered to the charges when he was hauled before Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste DaBreo.

The prosecution reported that on July 9, 2015 Coakley went to Coco Locos bar in Jost Van Dyke and demanded that the businessman in the matter pay him $20 for removing trash at his business place.

The court heard that the businessman, who owns the said bar, usually instructs 42-year-old Coakley when to remove the trash. He would then compensate him $20.

On the day in question, however, Coakley did the job although he did not receive any such instruction.

It is reported that the businessman, nonetheless, offered him $10.

Coakley reportedly refused the money and demanded full payment.

The court heard that Coakley became upset that he was only paid half of the amount he usually received.

He reportedly left the establishment and returned with a cutlass and a piece of wood.

Coakley approached the businessman with the weapons and threatened to kill him.

The businessman urged Coakley to leave the establishment.

The offender eventually complied and the matter was reported to police.

Coakley was charged.

In court, Magistrate DaBreo opted not to have Coakley further detained because he has certain ‘challenges’.

However, Coakley was told that, if he commits any other offence within the next two years, he will be fined $10,000.