A mother who said depression led her to steal a pair of shoes was given a second chance yesterday.
When she appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, Shida Sandora Gilkes pleaded guilty to stealing the shoes, valued at $284, from Duty Free Caribbean Holdings on November 11.
The unemployed 31-year-old, of Second Avenue Beckles Hill, St Michael, told the court she was stressed out.
“I let frustration and depression get the best of me. I took the shoes because I didn’t see any other way out,” a sorry-looking Gilkes confessed.
“But I saw the hurt which it brought to my sons and I would like to apologise for my actions.”
Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant placed her on a bond to keep the peace for the next 18 months. Failure to do so will result in a forthwith fine of $1 500, with an alternative of eight months in prison.
In giving the facts, prosecutor Sergeant Cameron Gibbons said Gilkes had entered Cave Shepherd with a male and proceeded to Total Sport.
While there, she asked to view a pair of black Adidas shelltop shoes. However, she seemed indecisive and when the sales clerk left and returned, both the shoes and Gilkes were gone.
Unable to locate her, police were called in and a report made.
On November 25, Gilkes was spotted in Cave Shepherd and apprehended. The shoes were recovered. (RB)