Ex-Brewery workers jailed for stealing 320 cases of beer

Yesterday at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, three former employees of the St Vincent Brewery Limited pleaded guilty to the charge of theft.{{more}}

Darren Barker, Anthony Dopwell and Mozart Haynes were charged with stealing 320 cases of Hairoun Beer, the property of the St Vincent Brewery Limited.

According to the facts of the case, between March 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016, Dopwell, who was employed as a forklift operator, would load the forklift with palettes of cases of the beer and take them to the company’s truck, which was driven by Barker.

Haynes, who was the truck’s conductor would then load the cases of beer on to the truck, which then transported the goods to Dopwell’s home, where the stolen goods were shared among them.

It was also revealed in court that the truck was never subjected to searches on entry or exit of the brewery compound.

When the head of production noticed some inconsistencies, he reported the matter to the head of his department and a report was made to the police. The police investigated the matter by interviewing employees, which led to the trio giving statements admitting to the offence.

When they appeared before him yesterday, magistrate Bertie Pompey told the men that they had breached the trust of their employer.

“The company entrusted you all and you breached that trust,” he said.

“I cannot allow you to go. I think this warrants a prison sentence,” added a seemingly disappointed Pompey.

The men were sentenced to serve a prison sentence of four months each.(CA)