ST. JOHN'S, Antigua--A High Court has slapped a veteran police officer with a 23-year prison term for attempting to rob a casino where he worked as a security guard.
But Corporal Alexis Thomas (39) has vowed to appeal, insisting he was wrongfully convicted.
He was found guilty of the July 22, 2014, attempted robbery at Paradise Casino, after evidence led by the prosecution indicated that he walked into the establishment wearing a mask and hoodie, carrying a police-issued firearm, and demanded money.
Before he could get away with the loot, the officer who was a member of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda for 20 years, was shot in the upper body several times by another security guard.
Thomas fled the scene, discarded the hoodie and returned to the area, claiming he was shot by a masked hooded man in an alley.
Despite the evidence, the policeman denied that he was the culprit who tried to rob the casino and declared that he would appeal whatever punishment was handed down, "even if the sentence is one day," because he was not guilty.
But as he sentenced the convicted cop on Tuesday, Justice Albert Redhead said there was "no doubt in my mind that the verdict of guilty was not wrong."
"Your colleague that trained with you recognised your voice. The key evidence is the accused on the camera, the shirt, belt and pants; any sensible person would have come to that conclusion," the judge said.
The report prepared by a probation officer revealed that while other police officers believed Thomas was competent in his job, he was also sneaky and an impulsive gambler. ~ Caribbean360 ~
