An 18-year-old first offender has been given a suspended sentence, placed on a bond and ordered to perform community service in connection with a burglary of a school tuckshop and possession of stolen goods.
Omarrio Jacob, of Lowmans Windward, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on March 25, jointly charged with three other men that on March 23, at Stubbs, knowing or believing that the items listed in the charge to be stolen goods, did dishonesty received same for their own benefit.
The other accused men — Romarno Jacobs, Jeron Cockburn and Alford Hoyte — each pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Romarno Jacobs, Omarrio Jacobs and Jeron Cockburn were further charged that between March 20 and 21, at Carapan, they entered the St. Clair Dacon Secondary School tuckshop as trespassers and stole several items valued at EC$2,586.50, the property of Rosemary Sayers of Diamond.
Omarrio pleaded guilty and his co-accused pleaded not guilty.
They entered the same pleas to a charge that between March 18 and 19, at Carapan, they entered the St. Clair Dacon Secondary School tuckshop as trespassers and stole several items valued at EC$1,151, the property of Rosemary Sayers, of Diamond.
The prosecutor, acting Corporal of Police Corlene Samuel accepted the guilty plea but informed the court that the Crown was also proceeding against the other defendants.
She did not object to bail for Hoyte and Cockburn but objected to Romano’s bail because there was an outstanding bench warrant for him.
The prosecutor further told the court that the defendant was awaiting trial on several similar charges.
Samuel said that a bench warrant was executed previously and Romano was given a chance to return to court but did not.
She further said that there were outstanding bench warrants for Romano in the Colonarie and Calliaqua districts.
She asked that the charges for which the three defendants had pleaded not guilty be adjourned and transferred to the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court, adding that all of the defendants had previous convictions.
Senior magistrate Colin John denied bail to Romano and remanded him in custody.
He also remanded Omarrio into custody until his sentencing the next day.
The other two accused men were each granted EC$5,000 bail with one surety and ordered to observe an 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew.
During the sentencing hearing, the following day, on the handling stolen goods charge, the magistrate ordered Omarrio to perform community service for six months under the supervision of the Mesopotamia Police Station.
On the burglary charges, he was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for one year and bonded for a year in the sum of $1,500 or six months imprisonment, respectively.
Detective Constable 446 Hope led the investigation.
Parents discipline your children, and make them obedient from their youth.. . Are they products of the education revolution that failed them so badly?