PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance on Wednesday sentenced three men to seven years in prison each for their involvement in the violent armed robbery and attempted manslaughter at Little Europe jewellery store on Front Street earlier this year.
The defendants, identified as Kemal Mohammed, Jamal Mason, and Moses Z.G. Joseph, were tried in absentia, as all three had been deported to Trinidad earlier in 2025 under a summons and laissez-passer arrangement. They were represented in court by their defence attorney.
According to the prosecution, the men stormed Little Europe on May 9, 2025, armed with a firearm. During the robbery, one of the suspects fired a shot through a glass door at close range in the direction of the store owner. Though no one was injured, the incident caused panic among staff and bystanders.
The Court found that all three defendants acted with a shared criminal intent. Evidence presented in court, including witness statements and surveillance footage, showed that one suspect, J.M., was tasked with controlling customers and employees inside the store, while the others stole jewellery and valuables. The men coordinated their actions, demonstrating what the prosecution described as a “jointly executed plan.”
At one point, when the suspects realised the store owner had locked them inside, one of the men shouted to the shooter, “Shoot him, shoot him!” The Court determined that this call to violence confirmed the group’s willingness to use deadly force to escape, making each of them equally responsible for the attempted manslaughter of the store owner.
The Prosecutor’s Office (OM) argued that the severity of the crime – an armed robbery in a crowded shopping district – required a firm judicial response. Prosecutors requested identical seven-year sentences for all three men, emphasizing that the use of firearms in robberies represents one of the most dangerous forms of criminal behaviour. The Court fully adopted the prosecution’s recommendation, stating that “such acts of violence strike at the heart of public safety and must be met with significant punishment.”
In addition to the prison sentences, the Court granted civil compensation claims filed by the victims. The store owner was awarded XCG 50,000 in immaterial damages, while another victim received XCG 20,000, both with statutory interest and legal costs. The three defendants were declared jointly liable for these payments.
The robbery deeply unsettled the Front Street business community, where jewellers have long been targets of violent thefts. Business owners have repeatedly called for stronger police presence and enhanced security measures in the Philipsburg area.
In a statement following the verdict, the Prosecutor’s Office of Sint Maarten (OM SXM) reiterated its commitment to tackling violent crime. “The use of firearms during robberies not only endangers lives but also erodes the sense of safety within our community,” the OM said. “The sentences handed down today reflect the gravity of these offenses and send a clear message that such violence will not go unpunished.”
