Shoplifter jailed for nine months

Oct 04, 2008 News

Damien James, 36, of 32 West Ruimveldt, La Penitence, was yesterday sentenced to nine months imprisonment, or an alternative of $25,000, after he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.
It is alleged that James, on October 1, on Regent Street, stole three carpets, valued $9,000, from Charles Scott. The man pleaded guilty to the charge.
James told the court, “Yuh Worship, I does shoplift, but I do it because of my family.” James continued to tell the court that he did it because “de town get tight.” He admitted to the magistrate that he knows it was wrong, but contends that he does not have any alternative.
He further explained to the court that, on the day in question, he attempted to pick up the items but didn’t get the chance.
The man said that the VC saw him, and he ran through Louisa Row and hid in a yard. He said that an off-duty police was in the vicinity and arrested him, and it was while the police was taking him in that residents in the area told the police: “Is jus suh you carrying he in?” The residents then started to beat him.
He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, or the alternative of $25,000.