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Wadadli Case Files, Saint John's (2026)

12/10/2026

Uroy Joseph was sentenced to 22 years in prison this morning for being an accessory after the fact to murder in connection with the killing of Arthur James, whose burnt remains were discovered in bushes in Freetown in October 2021.

Joseph was found guilty late last month following a trial before Justice Ann Marie Smith in the High Court.

During the trial, Joseph maintained that he had only assisted his cousins, Zamir and Obasic Ogarro, after the killing because he feared for his life.

In an unsworn statement to the court, he explained that Zamir had been staying at his home for approximately two and a half months while they worked together at Ras Freeman.

According to his account, James arrived at the house on the morning of the incident, but Joseph left him there while he attended to chores in English Harbour and Ras Freeman.

When he returned, Joseph claimed he found James tied up and his cousins armed with guns.

He told the court that he questioned Zamir about what was happening and made it clear that he wanted no involvement. However, Zamir allegedly told him that his presence meant he was already implicated.

Joseph said he subsequently witnessed Zamir strike James in the head with a pipe, leaving him dumbfounded.

He claimed James was later wrapped in a sheet and that he only assisted in placing him into a vehicle after Zamir threatened him with the same fate if he refused.

Joseph maintained that he was frightened and believed he was unable to defend himself against the men.

He further told the court that his cousins later instructed him to watch Obasic's vehicle before directing him to drive it to an area near Road House. He said he was subsequently taken back home.

Joseph also claimed that after learning of Zamir's arrest, he contacted police to determine whether a bulletin had been issued for him.

He said he later spoke with investigators, provided information about what he had witnessed and agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

However, the jury rejected his defence and found him guilty of being an accessory after the fact to murder.

Joseph was initially charged alongside Zamir and Obasic Ogarro, but both men died before the case reached trial.

The prosecution had alleged that Zamir was the main perpetrator of the killing.

Joseph will now serve a 22-year prison sentence for his involvement in the aftermath of James's murder.

09/10/2026

A barber has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for ra**ng his 14-year-old neighbour at her home back in February 2023 — a case that left the child suffering panic attacks, trust issues, and flashbacks that persist even after therapy.

The man, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the child, was found guilty by a jury following a trial in July.

The court heard that the victim was home alone preparing for dance practice when the accused came to her door asking for her aunt. When she told him her aunt wasn't home, she said he forced his way inside and r***d her in her grandmother's room while she was menstruating, ignoring her pleas for him to stop.

The accused,however, claimed he never touched her but simply went to the house and spoke to her about the fact that she had sometime brought a boy over.

In victim impact statements, the court heard the abuse has reshaped the child's life. She missed weeks of school, her grades dropped, and she withdrew from socializing. Her grandmother, who once considered the accused like a brother, told the court the once-happy child is now often silent and sometimes lashes out. The family says the case has brought a lasting sense of shame whenever it comes up.

In handing down the sentence, the judge started at 16 years, noting the maximum penalty under sentencing guidelines is life imprisonment, or 30 years. The judge raised the sentence to 18 years, citing the man's lack of remorse and his attempts to blame the victim as aggravating factors, before deducting two years in light of his good character and the positive impressions given by those who knew him. A further 151 days were deducted to account for time already spent in custody, bringing the final sentence to 16 years.

Before being sentenced, the man maintained his innocence, telling the court, "God knows I did not touch her. That is a lie and it hurts my heart to the core." He insisted he was simply trying to be a good neighbour, and suggested the teen was covering for a boyfriend.

Asked if he had anything to say to the complainant after hearing his sentence, he responded, "I will be happy if one day she will reveal the truth."

During the trial, the defence had argued that inconsistencies between the complainant's initial police statement and her later, fuller account suggested she'd been hiding an unrelated incident — a visit from a male school friend that broke a house rule.

The teen told the court she did not tell the full story out of fear was that the accused might return and hurt her.

The jury rejected the defence's account and returned a guilty verdict.

04/10/2026

A man who held up a Falmouth supermarket at gunpoint has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Thirty-four-year-old Tristan Armstrong was sentenced in the High Court on Friday for aggravated robbery and possession of a fi***rm and am******on.

The court heard that in October 2021, he pointed a gun at the owner of Bailey's Supermarket as the owner arrived at work. The owner got hold of a weapon and shot at him.

Police later found him in an abandoned house in Piccadilly, with multiple gunshot wounds.

A judge found him guilty in July, after a trial without a jury. The maximum sentence is 35 years.

03/10/2026

A Bolans man has been sentenced to four years in prison for wounding his sister with boiling water.

Clayton Jeffery was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty in June to wounding with intent. He appeared to wipe away tears in court when he entered that plea on June 22nd.

The charge relates to an attack on October 29th, 2023. The court heard that Jeffery chased his sister along a road in Bolans carrying a kettle of scalding water.

She was walking to her mother's home when she saw her brother running toward her with the kettle, shouting a threat. She tried to flee, but he caught up and poured the boiling water onto her back. She screamed and collapsed in the street. He then kicked and punched her repeatedly until bystanders stepped in.

She was treated in hospital for third-degree burns to her back, a broken bone in her left leg and a broken bone in her right hand. She spent three weeks in hospital and was confined to bed for about eight months after she was discharged.

The court heard there had been no argument between the siblings before the attack. Police say Jeffery told them he was angry because he believed his sister had spoken to neighbours about him, and that on the day he overheard those neighbours repeating a rumour. He said he saw her on the road and rushed at her with the hot liquid.

We were unable to obtain a picture of Jeffery.

30/09/2026

Two men have been remanded to prison after appearing in court this morning in connection with a shooting in Villa and two separate armed robberies at Ottos, all allegedly carried out within hours of each other.

Javia Peters, 25, of Point, and Saquami Christian, 22, of Ottos, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel and were remanded. Their next court date is December 2nd.

The pair were jointly charged with shooting with intent to murder and using a fi***rm in furtherance of an offence, in connection with the shooting of 47-year-old Francis Dennis of Villa. Police say the incident occurred at approximately 3:40 am on Sunday, September 27, on Gordon Street, Villa. Dennis sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for treatment.

Peters and Christian were also jointly charged in connection with two armed robberies that occurred the same day on Baxter Street, Ottos. They are accused being armed with a gun and robbing one woman of a cellular phone, SIM cards, a handbag, jewellery, cash and other personal items, together valued at approximately EC$1,285. They face a separate charge for allegedly robbing a second woman of a cellular phone, SIM card and cash valued at approximately EC$880.

29/09/2026

A High Court jury has found Uroy Joseph guilty of being an accessory after the fact to murder, in connection with the killing of Arthur James, whose burnt remains were discovered in bushes in Freetown in October 2021.

The verdict came today after Justice Ann Marie Smith summed up the case for the jury today, who then retired to deliberate before returning with their decision.

Joseph had told the court in an unsworn statement that he only assisted his cousins, Zamir and Obasic Ogarro, after the alleged killing because he was threatened with the same fate if he refused to cooperate. He said Zamir had been staying at his home for about two and a half months while the two worked together at Ras Freeman.

According to Joseph's account, a visitor he recognised as Arthur James arrived at the house on the morning of the incident, and he left James there while he carried out chores in English Harbour and Ras Freeman. When he returned, he said, he found James tied up and his cousins armed with guns. He claimed he questioned Zamir about what was happening and said he wanted nothing to do with it, but Zamir told him that being present meant he was already involved.

Joseph testified that he later saw Zamir strike James in the head with a pipe, and that he was "dumbfounded" by what he witnessed. He said James was later wrapped in a sheet, and that he only helped place him into a vehicle after Zamir threatened him with the same consequences if he refused. Joseph said he was afraid and did not believe he could fight against the men.

He told the court his cousins later left and instructed him to watch Obasic's vehicle before directing him to drive it to an area near Road House. He said he was then taken back home.

Joseph also testified that after learning Zamir had been arrested, he contacted police to find out whether a bulletin had been issued for him, and later spoke with investigators, telling them what he had witnessed and agreeing to assist with the investigation — cooperation he said continued from that point on.

Joseph was initially charged alongside his cousins Zamir and Obasic Ogarro, but both men died before the matter reached trial. Zamir was alleged by the prosecution to have been the main perpetrator of the crime.

28/09/2026

Uroy Joseph told the High Court that he only assisted his cousins following the alleged killing of Arthur James because he was threatened with the same fate if he refused to cooperate.

Joseph, who is on trial for being an accessory after the fact to murder, gave an unsworn statement before Justice Ann Marie Smith after being presented with his options at the close of the evidence.

He told the court that his cousin, Zamir Ogarro, had been staying at his home for about two and a half months because they were working at Ras Freeman and he believed it would be more convenient.

According to Joseph, on the morning of the incident, a visitor arrived at the house as he was preparing to leave. He recognised the man as Arthur James and left James there while he went to carry out chores in English Harbour and Ras Freeman.

Joseph said that when he returned home, he encountered a troubling situation involving James and his cousins. He said both brothers had guns and James had been tied up.

Joseph maintained that he questioned Zamir about what was happening and made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with the situation. However, according to his account, Zamir told him that because he was already there, he was involved.

He said James was questioning why they were treating him that way, while Zamir indicated that someone simply wanted to speak with him.

Joseph told the court that at one point Obasic Ogarro was instructed to turn a vehicle around, but it became stuck on the edge of the sidewalk. Joseph said Zamir asked him to assist Obasic with the vehicle, which he did before returning to the house.

It was then, Joseph said, that he saw Zamir strike James in the head with a pipe.

Joseph maintained that he was shocked by what he witnessed and questioned Zamir about his actions. According to his account, Zamir told him James had attempted to escape.

Joseph said he was “dumbfounded” and sat in a chair.

He told the court that Zamir later went outside with James and, when Joseph subsequently went outside, James had been wrapped in a sheet.

Joseph said he initially refused when Zamir asked him to help place James into a vehicle. However, he claimed Zamir threatened him with the same consequences if he did not assist.

Joseph told the court he became afraid and decided to follow instructions because, after witnessing what had happened, he did not believe he could fight against the men.

He said his cousins later left and instructed him to watch Obasic's vehicle. About 25 minutes later, he was told to drive the vehicle to an area near Road House.

According to Joseph, after arriving there, he was taken back home. He later went to English Harbour.

Joseph also told the court that after learning Zamir had been arrested, he contacted the police to find out whether a bulletin had been issued for him.

He said he subsequently spoke with investigators, told them what he had witnessed and agreed to assist with the investigation. Joseph maintained that he has been cooperating with police since then.

Following his statement, the prosecution and defence delivered their closing arguments.

Justice Smith is expected to sum up the case for the jury tomorrow, after which jurors will retire to deliberate on their verdict.

Joseph is accused of assisting after the alleged murder of Arthur James, whose burnt remains were discovered in bushes in Freetown in October 2021 following an overnight search led by his partner, Lily Schofield.

Joseph was initially charged alongside his cousins Zamir and Obasic Ogarro, but both men died before the matter reached trial. Zamir was alleged by the prosecution to have been the main perpetrator of the crime.

28/09/2026

Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board employee Rockell Browne has been sentenced to four years in prison for stabbing a female co-worker three times with a pair of scissors during a workplace confrontation in 2022.

Justice John Spencer imposed the sentence today after Browne was found guilty of wounding following a judge-only trial in the High Court in July.

Browne apologised to the complainant in person in court before she was sentenced.

In mitigation, her attorney Wendel Alexander told the court that Browne was remorseful and had already suffered consequences as a result of the incident, having been suspended from her job for two weeks.

He also pointed out that the complainant's injuries were not serious enough to require a lengthy hospital stay and said the probation report was strongly in Browne's favour. Alexander asked the court to consider making a compensation order.

Browne, who has worked at the Transport Board for 13 years and recently received a promotion, faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

In considering the appropriate sentence, Justice Spencer noted that the probation report described Browne as a respectable woman in the community who was normally peaceful and reserved.

However, the judge expressed concern about another observation in the report which indicated that Browne could be hot-headed.

Justice Spencer also took issue with the timing of Browne's apology, noting that it came after the matter had already proceeded through a trial and that video footage of the incident clearly showed Browne initiating the confrontation.

The judge ultimately sentenced Browne to four years in prison, describing it as a significantly reduced sentence after taking into account the mitigating factors in her favour, including her children.

He also ordered Browne to undergo counselling for anger management.

The conviction stemmed from a workplace confrontation in 2022 that began after Browne and the complainant crossed paths as the complainant was preparing to leave work.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the two women were not close but were not known to have any significant hostility between them. The complainant, however, told the court there had previously been minor friction, including occasions when Browne would brush against her shoulder.

On the day of the incident, the complainant had clocked out and was entering a room to collect her bag when she and Browne crossed paths in the doorway.

The court heard that Browne shoved the woman with enough force that her back struck a light switch, causing the room to go dark. A physical altercation followed.

When another person intervened to separate the women, Browne grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the complainant three times.

During the trial, Browne maintained that she had acted in self-defence. She claimed that both women had attacked her and alleged that it was the complainant who habitually bumped into her at work.

Browne also said she had previously complained to three supervisors about the complainant's behaviour. However, one of those supervisors testified that she had never received such a complaint from Browne.

A witness who saw the altercation also gave evidence during the trial.

Justice Spencer ultimately rejected Browne's claim of self-defence and found her guilty of wounding.

28/09/2026

Kenyatta Benjamin of Hatton has been sentenced to one year and four months in prison and given a four-year suspension of his driver's licence after pleading guilty today in the High Court to dangerous driving.

Two years is the maximum penalty for the offence.

The charge stemmed from a Mother's Day incident in May 2022, in which Benjamin struck national cyclist Andre Simon and three fellow cyclists, Sean Weathered, Ghere Coates, and Tiziano Rosignoli, as the group trained along Sir George Walter Highway.

All four men were hospitalised following the collision. Weathered, Coates, and Rosignoli were subsequently discharged, but Simon's injuries proved far more severe.

The 36-year-old father of one sustained head trauma and internal bleeding and remained in the Intensive Care Unit at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for an extended period.

On July 2, 2022, nearly two months after the accident, Simon was transported to TIRR Memorial Hospital in Texas in a wakefulness coma. He died while receiving treatment in the United States, about a year and a month after the incident.

Benjamin was not charged with causing death by dangerous driving, even though the collision involved Simon, who later died. Under Antigua and Barbuda law, a person must die within a year and a day of the incident for that charge to apply.

26/09/2026

Thirty-year-old Tevin Willock of Grays Farm has been sentenced to ten months and 20 days in prison for am******on possession.

Willock was sentenced on Friday, September 25th, after appearing before Chief Magistrate Emanuel at the St. John’s Magistrates’ Court.

He had pleaded guilty to possessing 12 rounds of 9-millimetre am******on.

The charge arose from an incident in Perry Bay on September 4th, which led to Willock’s arrest and subsequent charge by police.

The court imposed the ten-month, 20-day sentence after taking the applicable sentencing guidelines into consideration.

The latest conviction comes just months after Willock was served time for other offences.

Wadadli Case Files

12/10/2026

09/10/2026

04/10/2026

03/10/2026

30/09/2026

29/09/2026

28/09/2026

28/09/2026

28/09/2026

26/09/2026

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