Three St George men who admitted stealing a toolbox and then putting its contents for sale online will have to keep the peace for the next 12 months, or face a fine or jail time.
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Rene Ramon Selman, 26 and unemployed, and Torian Ashebe Moore, 31, a bartender, both of Lower Estate, along with 34-year-old baggage handler Jhaved Denison Williams, of Salters, appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court No. 2 yesterday where they confessed to stealing a heavy-duty tool box and its contents worth $3 000, which belonged to Spencer Mayers, on April 18.
Magistrate Manila Renee placed them on a bond to keep the peace for the next 12 months. If they breach it, they will have to fork out $1 000 in a week or spend one month in prison.
Prosecutor Sergeant Kenmore Phillips said that around 11:15 p.m., the complainant went to St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, with some friends and had the toolbox in the tray of his vehicle. He returned about 45 minutes later and it was missing.
He reported the matter to the Hastings/Worthing Police Station and when lawmen investigated, they found the same tools being advertised for sale on Facebook. CCTV footage showed the culprits removing the tools from Mayers’ vehicle.
Defence attorney Shadia Simpson said Selman had thrown himself at the mercy of the court and pleaded guilty at the earliest convenience.
“He has enjoyed an unblemished [record] up until this point,” she said, adding that it was an offence which was “opportunistic”.
Selman regretted his actions, had learnt from being in custody from Wednesday until yesterday, and the items had been recovered, counsel submitted. She therefore asked the magistrate to impose a bond for the first-time offender.
Williams’ attorney Shamar Bovell also asked for a bond. He argued that his client had no previous convictions, no pending matters and had never “darkened the halls of any court”. He said Williams pleaded guilty immediately and, unfortunately, had missed his son’s birthday celebrations as a result of being in custody.
The lawyer urged the court to also bear in mind that no violence was used and asked that a custodial sentence not be imposed, although Williams “must be made to understand that what he did was wrong”.
Moore, who was unrepresented, said he had “made a mistake” but was gainfully employed.
Magistrate Renee acknowledged that though he had a few previous convictions, they were old and would not be considered during sentencing. (SD)