“I stole the salt fish and sold it to get money for my medical treatment but I only get petty cash,” were the words of a labourer before he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for simple larceny.
Forty-five-year-old Shawn Roberts pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which stated that on June 2, 2019 at Ferry Stelling, Brickdam, he stole a quantity of salt fish, ground provisions, and carrots, valued at $59,009, from Janel Jupiter.
The unrepresented man appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
In his explanation to the court, he stated, “I was involved in an accident and after leaving the hospital I decided to steal the salt fish in order to sell it to buy my medication.”
Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court the victim is the owner of a stall which is situated at the Ferry Stelling, Brickdam where she sells ground provisions and other items.
On the day in question, the woman was attending to a customer when Roberts took the articles mentioned in the charge and made good his escape. The matter was reported, an investigation was carried out, and Roberts was charged with the offence.
The magistrate, after listening to both sides, sentenced Roberts to six months’ imprisonment.
