A man with a long record of criminal history has been sentenced to prison after a violent robbery targeting a British cruise passenger on the historic streets of downtown St. John’s, Antigua.

Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel handed down a 30-month sentence to 33-year-old Junior Emmanuel of Federation Road on Wednesday, after he admitted robbing an elderly visitor who had disembarked from cruise ship late last year, local media reports.

The incident took place on November 29, 2025, on Charles Henry Lane near the Cathedral Church, a popular sightseeing route for cruise tourists. Emmanuel allegedly struck from behind, yanking the victim’s fanny pack with such force that the strap snapped and she fell to the ground, before fleeing with items including the woman’s passport, cellphone and cash.

Police arrested Emmanuel on December 1, 2025 and he has been in custody since; the time already served will be deducted from his sentence.

Although this case ended with a swift arrest and conviction, stakeholders continue to raise concerns about visitor safety in areas frequented by cruise passengers. Last year, police issued alerts after two cruise visitors were robbed while at Fort James Beach, another popular cruise stop, leading to an intensified law enforcement response in those zones. 

Local tourism officials have acknowledged the need to safeguard Antigua’s reputation as a welcoming Caribbean destination, especially as the island has recently experienced one of its busiest cruise seasons.