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One of the Five Royal Jewels Robbers CONVICTED and Awaits Sentencing in Prison

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

He was arrested in November of 2020, remanded to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation until November 2023 (three years later), when he was offered 40,000.00 bail and released. 

On January 22, 2024 his trial for the November 18th 2020 robbery of Royal Jewels on Leeward Highway, Providenciales commenced, coming to an end on April 18, 2024 with verdicts of guilty by a reduced number of jurors. 

After deliberating for some two and half hours, all five members agreed WILLIGENCE NOEL was one of the five men that held up, robbed and put the employees of Royal Jewels in fear with various types of unregistered firearms. 

The prosecution’s case against the defendant was that his DNA blood sample was left in the stolen vehicle used in the commission of the robbery. Although not admitted in evidence in the trial, common sense would dictate that police in a high-speed chase of the white van leaving the robbery scene did open fire at the vehicle carrying the robbers. 

Medical evidence was laid by Mrs Nayasha Hatmin, Senior Public Prosecutor, for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) against WILLIGENCE NOEL stating that the following day or some 12 hour after the robbery, chase and shooting, Noel attended the hospital with a gunshot injury/injuries for treatment. 

During the investigation after the officers found the stolen vehicle without occupants, shortly after the robbery, they discovered jewelry and spent shells in the van that they testified they lost sight of for some 7 to 10 minutes in an area near Dock Yard. 

Senior defense human rights attorney Ms Sheena Mair challenged the DNA evidence and made several applicational attempts to the learned trial lady Justice Ms Tanya Lobban-Jackson to get the DNA evidence thrown out but each time the application was refused. 

These applications were in the absence of the jury, Ms. Mair contended that her client could not have a fair trial if the DNA evidence was to be allowed. She raised several legal issues with the taking and police procedural process of the lawfulness of the taken and testing of the DNA. 

However, her Ladyship, the Hon. Ms. Tanya Lobban-Jackson kept refusing Ms. Mair’s application on what appeared to be different directions and reasons for her decisions each time. 

At the conclusion of the three-month trial, Magnetic Media in speaking to Human Rights Attorney Mair about the verdict and outcome of the lengthy trial, and she said an appeal will be logged immediately after sentencing next month. 

Her client was convicted of two counts of robbery (one for the jewelry store heist and the other for robbing the occupants of the store), using firearm so as to cause fear and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen vehicle.

NOEL is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, and was ordered to return to prison on remand pending sentencing. 

TCI Court

Police Briefs

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Turks and Caicos, July 18, 2025 – Escapee Detained Overseas – Anthony Clarke, 32, a resident of Millennium Highway, Blue Hills, Providenciales, has been recaptured after escaping lawful custody last month.

Through coordinated efforts with regional and international law enforcement partners, Clarke, 32, was located and apprehended in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. He was swiftly returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Clarke was formally charged with the offence of Escaping Lawful Custody. He appeared before a Magistrate and remains in custody.

Clarke escaped custody on June 23, 2025, while receiving medical attention at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

July 18, 2025

Guilty Verdict Delivered -The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) can confirm that on Monday, July 14, 2025, the Supreme Court in Grand Turk concluded proceedings in the murder case of Necal Venice Pierre, who was tragically killed last year.

After the trial, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against 18-year-old WISLAIRE LOUIS of North Back Salina, Grand Turk.

Mr. Louis has been remanded in custody pending a July 31st sentencing.

Ms. Pierre, 47, was found deceased at her Palm Grove residence on August 4, 2024.

The RT&CIPF is extremely pleased with the verdict, which delivers justice for the victim and their loved ones. This guilty verdict is a testament to the determination, professionalism, and unwavering commitment of the officers who led this investigation with absolute rigour from start to conclusion.

We wish to thank the witnesses who demonstrated tremendous courage. Their bravery has been pivotal in ensuring justice is served.

The RT&CIPF continues to appeal to the public to assist in the fight against crime.

We urge individuals with information on illegal activities to call the nearest Police Station, 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842 and report what you know.

Individuals can also download and use the Crime Stoppers P3 app to submit information anonymously.

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Hall and Greene Avoid Jail After Sentences Suspended by Appeal Court

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, July 14, 2025 – Former Deputy Premier Floyd Basil Hall and former House Speaker Clayton Stanfield Greene will not serve jail time, following a ruling by the Turks and Caicos Islands Court of Appeal on Thursday, July 10.

The court, led by President Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, with Justices Bernard Turner and Michael Hylton, upheld their 2023 convictions—Hall for bribery, Greene for money laundering—but ruled that both men’s sentences would be suspended for two years. That means unless they breach any terms of the suspension, neither will spend time behind bars.

Hall was originally sentenced to one year in prison and Greene to six months, following a lengthy corruption trial that concluded in October 2023. At the time, Chief Justice Mabel Agyemang described their punishments as “drastically reduced” in light of mitigating factors, including Hall’s deteriorating health and the long delays in prosecution.

While the convictions remain on record, the appeals against sentencing were allowed. The court also confirmed that US $1.1 million plus interest is to be confiscated from Hall, and US $413,369 plus interest from Greene. However, the court ruled that Greene’s confiscation order should be reduced if the amount has already been recovered from Hall, noting he did not profit from the crime.

The outcome closes a chapter in the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) trials, which have spanned more than a decade and resulted in rare convictions of high-ranking officials. In sentencing last year, the Chief Justice had firmly rejected initial arguments for suspended sentences, stressing the seriousness of corruption in public office.

With this latest ruling, the saga for Hall and Greene ends without incarceration, marking a result that some may see as anticlimactic, given the scope and significance of the original trial.

Attention now turns to the case of Michael Misick and McAllister Hanchell, whose trial has concluded and awaits a verdict expected in October.

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Guilty Verdict Announced

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, 13th June 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) confirms that a guilty verdict was delivered yesterday (12th June) in the firearm-related case involving SHAQUAZE FORBES of Over Back, Grand Turk.

Forbes, aged 22, was found guilty of:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
  • One Count Discharging a Firearm

His co-accused, JERREAL MISSICK, also aged 22 and from Over Back, was found not guilty following the judge’s directions to the jury.

Forbes has been remanded in custody at H.M. Prison, Home of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, and will be sentenced on 18th July, 2025.

On 13th February 2024, reports of a firearm discharge were made to the police. Following a thorough investigation and subsequent consultation with the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office, both individuals were formally charged.

The RT&CIPF is requesting the public to notify the nearest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and provide any information anonymously regarding illegal activity.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and share information anonymously.

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