“I took the articles because I had bills to pay and my children to look after”, those were the words of a father of three who was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, after being found guilty of simple larceny charge.
Thirty-five- year-old Winston Marshall, a security guard, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The allegation against Marshall stated that between April 6 and June 17, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, he stole a quantity of gold jewellery valued $847,000. He also stole GY $200,000 and US $300—all totalling $1.1 M. That items and cash belonged to Abena Hudson.
Marshall pleaded guilty to the allegation after it was read to him by the Magistrate.
When asked why he stole the articles, the father of three, told the court that he and the victim shared a relationship and he took the articles to pay his bills and purchase items for his three daughters.
He added that the little money he had remaining, he gave the mother of his three children because she is currently unemployed.
Police Prosecutor, Arvin Moore, told the court that Marshall and Hudson are known to each other, since they shared a relationship.
Facts presented by the prosecutor stated that Marshall would normally visit Hudson home to spend time with her.
The court heard that on June 17, the victim was tidying her room when she observed the articles mentioned in the charge missing.
Moore said that the woman confronted Marshall and he admitted to removing the articles because he was in need of it.
As a result of what Marshall told the victim, she reported the matter to the police.
An investigation was carried out and Marshall was arrested, taken into custody and later charged.
Magistrate Latchman, after listening to the Prosecutor asked the Marshall if he had anything else to say.
He replied “I took it because I had things to do and if I had asked her she would have gotten upset.”
Based on the Marshall’s early guilty plea, the prevalence of the offence and the need to prohibit others from contemplating same, Magistrate Latchman sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment.
