MARIGOT--The court in Marigot on Thursday handed Louis Raymond Mussington, the proprietor of the former Chez Raymond on Baie Rouge, a three-month suspended prison sentence and two fines of 15,000 euros and 10,000 euros, the latter payable as damages to Terres Basses Owner’s Association, Association Syndicale Libre (ASL).
Mussington’s daughter, Tatiana, also received a three-month suspended prison sentence and a 5,000-euro fine. The fines for Louis Mussington exceeded the demand of 15,000 euros made by the Vice-Prosecutor.
The judge’s pronouncement followed the hearing on November 14, where the judgement was postponed due to the defendant’s lawyer not being present.
Chez Raymond was a familiar fixture on Baie Rouge for 30 years. The case has provoked anger among segments of the population. Mussington was condemned for an illegal construction (no building permit), employing undeclared workers, and running a bar without a license.
Authorities, with the support of the Gendarmerie, closed Chez Raymond down on August 19, expelling the proprietors and seizing restaurant equipment and other materials. The following day the restaurant structure was demolished by the Lowlands Association ASL at a cost of 28,080 euros. ASL demanded 30,000 euros in damages for occupation of its property without rights or title.
ASL explained that in the overseas territories and in St. Martin, some beaches have had a private character since the 1950s (Beauperthuy case in Orient Bay), but on June 11, 1959, the French government of the time (De Gaulle) had ceded the beaches (the 50 pas géométriques) of Terres-Basses to the developer-founder of the allotment, provided, as a reminder, that the beaches were free for access to all, unbuildable and without commercial activity. This, ASL states, is respected in the Lowlands where beaches are accessible to all.
It was not known if the defendants will appeal the judge’s decision.
