Habitual thief gets ‘one more chance’ despite victim’s frustration

A habitual thief was given a suspended sentence on a theft charge even though the complainant said he was “fed up and frustrated” at the man’s actions.

Asif Dover told Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday that he was fed up and frustrated that Andre Bushay steals and sells his produce.

“It’s not the first time,” Dover said. “He steals my breadfruit, plums, avocado and it degenerates into negativity.”

Dover told the court that Bushay would steal and sell his produce then curse him. 

Dover said that the defendant would often brandish a cutlass, a knife or an edged tool. “I am frustrated and fed up.”

He told the court he could also sell the same produce Bushay steals and sells.

“I just bought my property and need to pay my mortgage.”

Bushay was charged that on March 20, at New Montrose, he stole 20 plumrose valued at EC$20, Dover’s property.

Prosecutor, acting Corporal of Police Corlene Samuel read the facts, stating that on the date, at about 8:45 a.m., Dover was at home when he heard the neighbour’s dogs barking. 

The complainant looked outside and saw the defendant climbing over the wall.

Dover used his cellular phone and recorded the defendant, who went into the plumrose tree and for about four minutes continuously picked the fruits.

Dover told the defendant to leave his property but Bushay continued picking the fruits and later left with them in a sack and said nothing to Dover.

In mitigation, Bushay asked the court to have leniency on him and place him on a bond.

He said that this would be his last time stealing from Dover. He apologised to the court and to Dover.

However, Dover told the court that the apology was not genuine and every time Bushay was caught on the property, he would say he would never come back.

He said Bushay had been given so many chances and one day after he was brought to court on another occasion, Bushay passed his gate and laughed at him.

The prosecutor confirmed that Bushay had been brought before the court on similar matters in relation to Dover and other people in the area and was given chances, having been bonded and even jailed.

When asked by the magistrate, Bushay said he smokes cigarettes and was hospitalised at the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre once but goes for treatment.

The magistrate told Bushay he was giving him “one more chance.”

The magistrate imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.