Teen mom shoplifts her way to prison

An 18-year-old mother of three has been sentenced to nine months in jail.{{more}}

A teary-eyed Alvecia Browne, of Ottley Hall, appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, May 17, and pleaded guilty to stealing a tub of Cocoa Butter cream and one Vital Hair spray valued at $55, the property of People’s Pharmacy in Kingstown.

After reading the charges, Chief Magistrate Sonya Young said she had already made up her mind to place Browne on bond. That’s until her conviction sheet was produced to the court. In December 2009, Browne was placed on a six-month bond by the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for an offence of a similar nature. She also has another conviction for theft.

For breaching her bond, a six-month custodial sentence was slapped on Browne. A further three-month sentence for stealing the items was added by Young. The sentences will run concurrently.

The facts read out in court stated that on May15, 2010, Browne walked into the pharmacy and took the items off the shelves and walked passed the cashier. After making her way outside the pharmacy, Browne was approached by the security guard. The items were found in a bag she was carrying.

Addressing the court, the Chief Magistrate said she was not only surprised by Browne’s criminal record, but also that she has three children, none of whom is above the age of five.

“What are you doing with your life? You didn’t consider your children when you went into people’s store and stole? What example are you setting for your kids?” Young sternly asked.

After the court adjourned, Browne’s relatives brought three young children into the courtroom and went to where Browne was seated on the prisoner’s bench.

Two other women of Ottley Hall were also charged with similar charges to Browne on Monday.

Kishorn Henry, 22, and Shanice Simmons, 16, appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty to stealing three jars of Cocoa butter cream and Vital Hairspray valued at $155, the property of People’s Pharmacy.

Their matter was adjourned to June 7 and transferred to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.(KW)