Kingston Man Charged with Sacrilege After Church Theft in Clarendon

A Kingston man has been charged with sacrilege following the theft of over $200,000 worth of equipment from a church in Freetown, Clarendon last week.

The accused, 45-year-old Damion Henry, a labourer of Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 13, was arrested after stolen items were recovered in his possession, according to a police statement issued on Sunday.

Under the Larceny Act, a person found guilty of sacrilege—defined as breaking and entering any place of “divine worship”—faces up to 10 years in prison.

According to reports, on February 19, officials at the Longville Boulevard-based church discovered both the front and back doors open. Upon inspection, they realized that an audio mixer, amplifier, microphones, and speaker cords were missing.

Police investigations determined that the theft occurred between February 16 and February 18. The matter was reported, and on Friday, officers, acting on intelligence, recovered an audio mixer and an amplifier from a man who claimed he had purchased them from Henry.

Further inquiries led officers to a bar in Longville Park, Clarendon, where Henry was allegedly attempting to sell additional stolen items. When questioned, he reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for his possession of the equipment.

The stolen items were later identified as property of the church, and Henry was taken into custody. A caution statement was recorded, and he was subsequently charged with sacrilege.

Henry is expected to appear in court soon to answer the charges.