Road Town man gets nine years for armed Cineplex robbery

Justice Angelica Teelucksingh sentenced Kimron White to nine years and 27 days in prison in July after he pleaded guilty to robbing three men at gunpoint during an incident at the UP's Cineplex car park in Road Town, Tortola.

On the evening of June 11, 2023, shortly after 11 pm, White approached four men in the car park with his face partially covered and carrying a firearm. He pressed the gun against Jovan Cline's ribs and demanded money. When Cline moved toward him, White struck him in the forehead with the weapon. Oneyke Huggins was also hit in the head and fell to the ground.

Cline and Brent Hoyte surrendered their iPhones, worth US$700 and US$1,300 respectively. White then pointed the gun at Kennel Stoute and took two gold chains valued at US$8,000 combined. He then escaped by climbing over a wall.

Both Cline and Huggins received medical care at Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital for their injuries. Investigators obtained security camera footage from the Cineplex, the Tax Authority Office and a petrol station nearby. The footage captured two men arriving on a scooter and changing clothes behind vehicles. Police identified White as the gunman. During questioning, White acknowledged taking the items from the three men.

Teelucksingh handed down separate sentences of nine years and 27 days for each robbery of Hoyte and Cline, and six years and 27 days for the robbery of Stoute. The assault and proceeds charges resulted in time served, with all five sentences to be served concurrently. White received a one-third sentence reduction for his guilty pleas and was credited with two years, 11 months and three days already served on remand.

In deciding on the sentence, the judge took into account that White was 19 when the offences occurred, had no prior criminal record, demonstrated remorse and showed potential for rehabilitation. She also ordered him to participate in education and vocational training while imprisoned and to undergo counselling for anger management and substance abuse issues.