Strange story posted by Barbados Today about a thief caught my attention. The news site states that the 20-year-old Winslow Bonnett from Christ Church admitted to the Court that he stole $3 800 worth of items. In front of a District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Judge, the young man admitted that he stole Kindle tablet, gold chain and a pendant. His lawyer urged the court not to sentence his client for the crime he committed. The Lawyer’s argument was that the accused had pleaded guilty immediately and had recently secured a job on a cruise ship, and any conviction would jeopardize his future. The news site didn’t say for which cruise line the young man secured a job.

After hearing the defense, the judge ordered Winslow Bonnett to compensate the complainant with $3 300 in four months. The young man was released on bail and ordered to return to court in March, 2017. 

In order for a new hired crew members to get Letter of Employment (LOI) by any Cruise Line they need to have official court document stating that they are not sentenced for any crime. In this case the decision not to sentence this thief because he secured a job on a cruise ship is absolutely ridiculous. Giving a second chance might not be a good idea because as one visitor said “Putting him on a cruise ship to work is like inviting Dracula to the blood bank.” Once on board a cruise ship he can steal from his colleagues or from guests and he will be send home immediately. There is no place for thieves on cruise ship, so the decision to give a second chance to the young man is not the right one.