Wig thief to pay compensation

A 20–year-old who stole a wig from a cosmetics store in Kingstown will have to compensate the store $120 for the item, and undergo counselling.

Jason John appeared before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court (KMC) on February 22, when he admitted to the theft of a wig from the store “Beautylicious” on Egmont Street.

The theft took place on December 30, 2020, at approximately 10:30 am. The defendant apparently walked into the store, asked about the price of eyelashes, and then went further into the store. The manager kept him under observation using the cameras installed, and saw him enter the wig section.

He touched one wig, before ripping the tag off, putting it under his shirt and making his way to the exit. The manager approached him as he got to the exit, but John made an attempt to flee.

The manager tried holding on to one of the plastic bags in his hand, but the defendant dropped this before escaping.

After the police became involved, they located the defendant, and he was taken in to the criminal investigation department, where he offered a statement.

He took the police to his home and handed over the wig, which had been worn already.

The 20-year-old unemployed defendant is not a first timer before the court system. In 2018, he was before the court for theft of skin lightening cream. In November of 2020, he was convicted of theft, and he signed a bond in the sum of $500. This was meant for him to keep the peace for one year, and if he breached the peace then this sum would have to be paid forthwith.

By his committing the theft of this wig before the year was up, John activated this bond, and he had to find $500 on Monday. He did not seem to have the sum at first, and it was possible that he would have to serve the default three-month prison sentence connected to the bond.

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett would not sentence John until the outcome of the bond matter was known, and therefore sentencing for the most recent offence was postponed until next Monday.

However, it is said that a relative of the young defendant came and paid the sum.

Therefore, the magistrate was able to sentence John for his recent crime. He chose to order compensation by April 8. If the defendant does not pay $120 by this date he will spend two months in prison.

Further, counselling at Marion House for the period of one year was also stipulated. The first report from this counselling will be delivered after six months, on August 30, and the final report on December 14. If John fails to go to counselling, there is a default sentence of six months incarceration attached to the order.