Repeat offender jailed nine months for robbing American tourist at Barbados pool
James Jonah Josiah Sandiford, 35, was sentenced to nine months in Dodds Prison for stealing BDS$5,020 in cash and property from a US visitor. He resisted officers as he was led from Bridgetown Magistrates Court.
Repeat offender jailed nine months for robbing American tourist at Barbados pool
James Jonah Josiah Sandiford, 35, was sentenced to nine months in Dodds Prison on Tuesday after admitting to stealing BDS$5,020 worth of cash and property from an American tourist at a poolside venue in Barbados, Barbados Today reports. The moment Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick handed down the term, Sandiford began loudly protesting and struggled with police officers as they escorted him from the No. 1 District 'A' Magistrates Court in Bridgetown.
Before the courtroom doors had fully closed, the 35-year-old, who has no fixed place of abode, attempted to pull free from the officers' grip. He continued to complain as they moved him swiftly to the cells.
Scissors threat at the poolside
Prosecutor Sergeant Victoria Leacock told the court that the complainant, Caleb Applewhaite, an American visitor, had gone to the Hot Pot with his girlfriend on August 19. They brought a beach bag from their car and left it on a pallet near the pool. Sandiford was one of three other people present at the pool at the time.
After Applewhaite entered the water, Sandiford left the pool area and approached the pallet, appearing to have business there. He knocked over the beach bag, removed items from it and walked away, placing them in a black plastic bag.
When Applewhaite noticed his bag had fallen, he checked its contents and found several items missing. He followed Sandiford and demanded his property back. Sandiford told him to keep away and produced a pair of scissors, threatening him in a manner that caused Applewhaite to fear for his safety.
Items stolen, passport and bank cards recovered
Sandiford admitted to taking a BDS$500 bag, a US passport valued at US$150, 12 keys worth BDS$60, a Barbados driver's licence valued at BDS$125, US$850 in cash, BDS$1,200 in cash, three lip balms worth BDS$15 and a pair of earphones valued at US$60 — all belonging to Applewhaite. He also admitted stealing a key fob valued at BDS$1,000 belonging to Go Car Investment Limited, bringing the total to BDS$5,020.
Applewhaite reported the theft to police and gave a description of the suspect. The following day, August 20, officers spotted Sandiford in Black Rock and arrested him. Police discovered drug paraphernalia fit for the misuse of cocaine in his trouser pocket. He then led officers to an area in Goodland where he had discarded the plastic bag. Inside, they recovered several items including bank cards and Applewhaite's passport. The cash was not recovered.
Sandiford also pleaded guilty to the possession of the drug apparatus, an offence committed on August 20.
47 previous convictions, drug addiction cited
Sandiford carried 47 prior convictions into court, the most recent of which dated to August 2025. He attributed the theft to his cocaine addiction and expressed remorse for his conduct.
"I am an outpatient of the Psychiatric Hospital and I on cocaine. I get real prickle and I real sorry. I did want money to smoke. I carry de police to get back de bag wid de passport and the other things. I asking for little help to go to Psychiatric Hospital or Verdun House," he told the court.
Acting Chief Magistrate Frederick responded: "You can get professional help at the prison. There is a drug treatment programme up there."
Sentence and outcome
The magistrate sentenced Sandiford to nine months in prison for the theft and told him: "Whatever is necessary up there, take part in and make sure you make yourself a better person." On the charges of assault and drug-apparatus possession, Sandiford was convicted, reprimanded and discharged.
Source: Barbados Today