A COUPLE who broke into someone’s home – stealing medication and smashing furniture – have been spared jail.
Shannen Dempsey (25) and Carl Henriette (33) were sentenced in the Royal Court yesterday after admitting illegal entry and larceny. Henriette also pleaded guilty to two further counts of malicious damage and one of threatening behaviour.
The court heard that on 17 September, Dempsey entered the victim’s property and stole essential medication while Henriette smashed a mirror.
Henriette, at the time, was already facing charges for smashing the victim’s glass table, worth £200, over his own head and brandishing a knife in front of a member of the public.
Henriette was given 210 hours of community service, the equivalent of a 15-month custodial sentence, and a 12-month probation order. Dempsey received a community service order of 180 hours – the equivalent of 12 months’ imprisonment – and a nine-month probation order.
Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho, prosecuting, said that the mirror held ‘sentimental value’ to the victim and that should be taken into account when considering the loss of items. She added that Henriette had also smashed the table while ‘under the influence of alcohol’ on an earlier occasion.
Days after Henriette smashed the glass table over his head, a row broke out in the street between the victim and Henriette after which he brandished a knife towards a member of the public before throwing it to the ground.
Advocate Carvalho said that the ‘presence of the knife was an aggravating factor’ and added that Henriette had been ‘shocked by his actions’.
The court was told that Henriette had 22 previous convictions dating between 2010 and 2015.
Advocate Allana Binet, defending Henriette, recommended a non-custodial sentence, citing that the defendant was ‘remorseful’ and asked the court to consider the impact a prison sentence could have on his young child.
Advocate James Bell, defending Dempsey, said: ‘She pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. She provided a letter of remorse and she fully accepts her involvement with entering the property and acknowledges the impact [on the victim].
‘Ms Dempsey wants to fix this situation and move on.’
Addressing Henriette, Commissioner Sir William Bailhache said: ‘Had you been 14 or 15 years old I would have told you to grow up.
‘You carried a knife which is a very serious aggravating factor… it is not acceptable to carry a knife even as a deterrent.
‘You’ve been very lucky, the court rather thinks you are at a crossroads.’
The court also imposed a 15-month restraining order banning the couple from contacting the victim.
