South African fined $1K for illegal stay
A South African man was fined $1,000 in the Magistrate’s Court after he was found to be residing illegally in the British Virgin Islands for roughly eight months.
Richard Currie pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-DaBreo on Monday.
Currie has one week to pay the fine. In default of not paying, the offender will spend two months at Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut.
“I don’t see any reason to impose imprisonment,” Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-DaBreo said before imposing the fine.
In the meantime, Currie has been placed on remand until his fine was paid considering that he has no legal status in the territory.
Magistrate DaBreo said the question of whether he would be deported or given a chance to find employment was a matter for the Immigration Department.
What the court heard happened
The court heard that Currie was employed at a well-known food and beverage establishment on the sister island of Anegada.
The court, however, heard that he had a falling-out with his employer in March and subsequently lost his job.
Despite this, he reportedly remained in the territory until November 12, 2019 — some ten days after his now-cancelled work permit would have expired.
It was then he learnt that his permit had been cancelled by his former employer and he was illegal in the territory.
He was subsequently interviewed under caution and later charged for overstaying.
When asked if he received a dismissal letter from his employer, he responded in the negative. However, WhatsApp messages between the Currie and his former employer confirmed that he was informed that he was unemployed for months.
“He cancelled my work permit without my knowledge. I am sorry for doing that. I didn’t realize it was wrong. I am sorry,” Currie told the court.
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“Magistrate DaBreo said the question of whether he would be deported or given a chance to find employment was a matter for the Immigration Department”
All foreign persons convicted for an offence against the immigration Act is subject to deportation. Its mandatory. magistrate needs to stop feeing nonsense top the public
“Subject to deportation” does not mean “MUST be deported.” As the judge said, Immigration has leeway to decide. And remember, deportation costs money.
good job
The System is. A Dark Fraud
If it was an island person she would have ordered deportation.
Mr. Currie had a “falling out” with his employer on Anegada in March and left the job, but never realized his employer had pulled his work permit??? Ummm, why would he keep it?? After a “falling out” you are pretty much guaranteed not to be able to hold onto a work permit for a job you no longer hold!!! Mr. Currie goes on to claim that he didn’t realize this until just about the time he would have has to renew the permit (for the job he had not held for 8 months). Seriously? What has he been doing to survive for the past 8 months?? Gee, working illegally? Ya think?? Busted! I’m glad he just apologized and plead guilty. No other choice really. Good luck in the future, Mr. Currie. Lesson learned.
I am sure Mr. Currie is a white man.
So no “send back de island man” comments.
Some Black people truly hate themselves.
You seem to want to put him in a special class by implying his color gives him special status here. I don’t think it does. Stop obsessing over these people.
I’m confident that after he pays his fine or serves time he will be deported like any one else would be.
Yes race gives one special Privileges.
If he a brother or sister from the Caribbean his picture would be on every news site and of course he would be deported.
Who we foolin? We stil totally brainwashed against our own, and ain gon change no time soon.
Wouls not be surprised if he isn’t a refugee running from murdering numerous Black people in Africa.
….”a refugee running from murdering numerous Black people in Africa”
Your statement seems contradictory, or confusing.
The word you want is “fugitive,” not refugee.
oops! that last paragraph is not a nice statement to make.
Who covering cost to South Africa if he is deported?
He’s already gone back to SA at the BVI government’s expense.
No, i wanted refugee, dictator think you know all smart.
Thanks for the clarification. In that case, there must be a very good reason why he should fear the murdering numerous Black people in Africa.
Sa is not safe for black ppl much less whie.crazy place bru.