St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew as a Minister of National Security debated and passed the Larceny (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the National Assembly. The passing of the bill considers a critical step that aims at closing sentencing loopholes and reinforcing the commitment of the nation to public safety.
While leading the debate, PM Drew highlighted the contradiction in the current legal framework that the amendment seeks to correct. Possession of an unlicensed automatic firearm carries a potential sentence of up to 40 years under the previous legislation, using the same weapon in a violent robbery, capped at 20 years.
Considering this, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew said that contradiction is illogical. Therefore, this short, yet important amendment corrects the inconsistency by updating Section-31 of the Larceny Act. This ensured that sentencing is consistent with the broader reforms included under the Firearms Act.
The Larceny Amendment Bill introduced a tiered sentencing structure for robbery offences in St. Kitts and Nevis, that are based on the level of threat, violence and weapon used. According to Drew, robbery with a firearm carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment with hard labor. While robbery with another offensive weapon carries up to a maximum of 40 years sentence.
Robbery committed with accomplices can result in up to a maximum of 35 years, and robbery involving personal violence up to a maximum of 30 years. Robbery without aggravating factors may attract a maximum sentence of up to 20 years, while assault with intent to rob carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
The Bill also expanded the legal definition of a firearm to include imitation firearms and restricted or prohibited weapons, consistent with the updated Firearms Act, CAP-19.05.
Prime Minister Terrance Drew emphasized on the amendment bill and said that it will harmonize the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis with regional sentencing norms and international standards, while respecting the guidelines established by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
He further stated that robbery is not a victimless crime. It shatters life. It can destroy confidence and sow fear in our communities. Drew added that the increased penalties for serious crimes such as armed robbery serve as a critical deterrent function. He said that sending a clear and unequivocal message that society will not tolerate acts of violence will threaten public safety and undermine social order.
Prime Minister Drew also acknowledged that criminal justice reform must go beyond punishment. He reiterated the broader strategy of the government of addressing crime through a people-centred, all-of-society approach, which includes prevention, opportunity creation, and viewing violence through a public health lens.
Drew said that they are balancing both things. They are creating opportunities that they want their people to take. They urged be an affront to the law. The law will make sure that it does its part to bring about justice.
Prime Minister Drew reiterated that his administration would continue to prioritize both community safety and comprehensive legal reform, and the Larceny (Amendment) Bill, 2025, represents a decisive step in delivering justice and restoring public confidence.