Traffic Court Convictions at Basseterre Magistrate’s Court

The Basseterre Magistrate’s Court, under the direction of Her Honor Sherry-Ann Liburd Charles, addressed a series of traffic violations on Thursday, March 27, 2025, resulting in a variety of convictions, fines, and warnings. The proceedings underscored the commitment of the Traffic Department to uphold road safety regulations within St. Kitts and Nevis. Several individuals faced consequences for their driving infractions, ranging from cautions for minor offences to substantial fines for more serious breaches of traffic laws. The court’s actions highlight the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic regulations for the safety of all road users.

Cyril Ible-Frederick, a resident of St. Peters, received a caution for driving without due care and attention, an incident stemming from October 10, 2023. This relatively lenient outcome suggests the infraction was deemed less severe than others addressed during the court session. Meanwhile, Leroy Wattley of Lower Shaw Avenue, McKnight, incurred a more substantial penalty. He was fined $750.00 for an offence committed on May 29, 2024, with a three-month window to make the payment. Failure to comply with the court-ordered payment will result in a 14-day prison sentence, emphasizing the seriousness with which the court treats these violations.

Akieme Fenton of Cayon faced a more complex set of charges. While an accusation of driving without a valid and unexpired license, dating back to July 19, 2024, was withdrawn, Fenton faced convictions on other counts. These included a $750.00 fine for driving without insurance, payable within three months or facing 14 days imprisonment, and a $400.00 fine for driving without the relevant license, with a one-month payment deadline and a potential 7-day jail term for non-compliance. Additionally, Fenton received a caution for driving without appropriate headgear, highlighting the breadth of traffic regulations addressed by the court.

Sherri Goh, a resident of Boyd’s Village, was fined $750.00 for driving without due care and attention on April 23, 2024. Goh has two months to pay the fine, with a 7-day prison sentence as the consequence of non-payment. Sylvester Edwards of Old Road received the highest fine of the day, $1,500.00, for driving without due care and attention related to a January 25, 2024 incident. He was given one month to pay the fine, with a 14-day imprisonment term imposed for failure to comply. The varying fines reflect the differing severity of the offences and the circumstances surrounding each case.

Beyond the individual cases, the court proceedings also saw the resolution of several outstanding traffic matters. Five ticket matters and two accident-related cases were withdrawn after payments were processed through the Vehicle Registration System (VRS). This indicates that some individuals chose to settle their fines directly, avoiding the need for a court appearance. Furthermore, eighteen matters were adjourned until June 12, 2025, suggesting more complex cases requiring further investigation or legal proceedings.

Finally, the court issued a bench warrant for Shelise Williams of Verchild’s. The issuance of a bench warrant typically indicates a failure to appear in court, underscoring the importance of complying with court summons and actively participating in legal proceedings. The Traffic Department concluded the report by reiterating its commitment to road safety and urging all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic laws. The various actions taken by the court, from cautions to fines and warrants, demonstrate the ongoing efforts to maintain safe roads and ensure accountability for traffic violations within St. Kitts and Nevis.