On Friday, June 26, the local court of Saint-Martin sentenced JWThe 37-year-old received a 24-month suspended prison sentence, a €1.500 fine, and a ban from the intersection of Lady Fish and Sandy Ground streets. He was prosecuted for making threats against police officers during a live broadcast on social media.
On December 11, 2025, while soldiers were conducting a security operation at the Sandy Ground bridge, the defendant, a long-time community activist, made several threatening remarks, including references to violence and the possibility of unrest in the neighborhood. Excerpts from the video were shown in court.
Between regret and responsibility
In the dock, JW admitted to losing his temper, citing the effects of anger and being “slightly drunk.” According to him, his remarks at the time reflected the tensions in the neighborhood. Expressing his regret, he stated that “fifteen years of work” among young people risked “disappear for a few minutes", before stating that he would have liked to apologize to the police officers involved. The defense argued for acquittal, maintaining that the remarks made were more akin to insult than a threat.
The court did not follow the prosecution's recommendations, namely a four-year prison sentence, two years of which were suspended, as well as a ban on working with minors. However, it did emphasize the seriousness of the offenses and the impact of their dissemination on social media, given the defendant's high profile.
