Young child fails to save repeat offender

An Apple Ipod is one of the most sought after electronic devices today, so Kenneth James found it appropriate to steal a quantity of jewelry and exchange them for one of these gadgets.{{more}}

Chief Magistrate Sonya Young sentenced James, 20, of Buccament, to nine months in prison on Tuesday at the Serious Offences Court in Kingstown after he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft.

James, who has eight previous convictions of a similar nature and is presently serving a prison sentence for non-payment of fines, begged the magistrate to give him a chance and allow him to pay a fine. “Can you give me a time to pay a money, ah dus wuk and I have a young child,” James pleaded.

Magistrate Young objected to his plea and told him that it seemed like it was his habit to steal people’s things. Young also said she could not let him pay a fine since he had eight previous convictions of a similar nature. “No, I don’t care if you have a baby. You are one of the worst ones that have come before me since I am sitting here as Magistrate,” she said. “You did not exchange the jewelery for food for your child, but for an Ipod,” stated Young.

Between March 13-14 this year, James went to Petit Bordel to a friend’s home. While there, James stole the jewelry valued at over $5,000, and exchanged the ring with another man for the Ipod.

The virtual complainant reported the matter to the police and investigations led to James. The ring and other jewelry were recovered.