Firefighters were called to put out a blaze at the St. Catherine Circuit Court administrative building on July 24, 2022.
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The court worker who set fire to the St. Catherine Circuit Court administrative building in 2022, following a break-in, is to serve 10 and half years in prison.
Romario 'Keith' Gopaul pleaded guilty to arson, office breaking and larceny.
Prior to handing down the sentence, presiding judge, Justice Bertram Morrison, told him that he should have known better.
Noting that the sentence must discourage like-minded individuals, Justice Morrison pointed out that Gopaul's action crippled the system and deprived the public who seek justice.
He was given 10 and half years for arson and four and a half years for office breaking and larceny.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
During the sentencing hearing, his attorney Esther Reid told the court that her client acted under duress and out of fear for his life and that of his family.
She told the court that he was put up to the act by two gang members to steal from the court's office.
Ms. Reid pointed out that Gopaul did not waste the court's time by admitting that he committed the offences.
On July 24, 2022 fire was observed coming from the court offices in Emancipation Square, Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
The fire brigade was summoned, and upon arrival, it was discovered that the civil litigation office was set ablaze.
Police were later called to the scene and an investigation revealed that the office was broken into and a safe with money forced open and the cash stolen.
The police said evidence suggested that the culprit set the place ablaze to cover the crime.
Following investigations Gopaul was arrested and subsequently charged.
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