“I will appeal!” That was the response of many-time convicted man George St Clair Ricardo Beckles when he was handed his latest sentence by the District “A” Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.
The 42-year-old, of 3rd Avenue, Goodland, Black Rock, St Michael, was back in court where he changed his plea and admitted he stole a car battery belonging to Michael Stevenson on December 27.
He had initially pleaded not guilty, was remanded, then granted bail and then remanded again when he subsequently appeared on another charge last year.
On Thursday, he asked the court to consider that he had been on remand for seven months.
“I miss a court date and I get a charge and I get seven months on remand. I’m asking that you take that into consideration,” he said.
Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant sentenced him to two years in prison for the theft but ordered that the time spent on remand be deducted from the sentence.
“I will appeal,” Beckles declared before he was led away.
He will return to court on March 1 to answer the 2017 wounding charge.
Prosecutor Sergeant Cameron Gibbons said the complainant had parked and secured his vehicle. However, sometime later, he was alerted by a noise outside. When he looked out he saw Beckles, whom he had known for a number of years, leaving with his car battery.
Stevenson informed police, who picked up Beckles. The thief confessed to stealing the battery. (HLE)
