16-year-old who stole White Oak rum from Save-A-Lot, saved by Inspector

Inspector Nigel Butcher may have saved the future prospects of a 16-year-old boy yesterday.{{more}}

When the teenager pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of White Oak rum at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Butcher, a court prosecutor, rose as a friend of the court.

Butcher suggested to Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias that she apply section 37 of the criminal code, which means that the youngster would not have a conviction to his name.

“Your honour, I understand the nature of the offence. He’s young and I am asking that you give him a second chance,” Butcher pleaded.

Browne-Matthias agreed with Butcher and dismissed the charge, pursuant to section 37 of the Criminal Code.

The court heard that on October 12, 2013, the teenager went to Save-A-Lot supermarket in Kingstown. While there, the security guard kept him under close observation because of his movements.

The young man went to the cashier and paid for a chocolate bar. He was then stopped and a search carried out on his person discovered two quarts of the rum in his front pockets.

Later that day, while in police custody, a friend brought a receipt in an attempt to prove that the young man had bought the items. However, investigations revealed that that receipt was from the purchase of two different bottles of White Oak.