A Typical Balaclava Skull Mask
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
April 27, 2011 (CUOPM)
A Bill going to the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on Thursday if passed, will send a person found guilty of using a mask to assault, beat or rob an individual, to jail for up to two years and a fine of five thousand dollars.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon Patrice Nisbett will seek the support of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly to amend Section 8 of the Small Charges Act by substituting Section 6 to read: “Every person who, being masked or otherwise disguised, unlawfully assaults, beats or robs any other person, or commits any other offence, commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.”
The Attorney General also seeks to introduce a new section five to read: “Every person who, without lawful excuse, appears masked or otherwise disguised except during the Carnival or Culturama or who during the Carnival or Culturama contravenes any regulation made under this section, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.”
A new section 7 reads: “Every person who, without lawful excuse is found in possession of a mask in a public place commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.”
The Bill will be introduced and piloted through all three stages.