– court hears
Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday sentenced a 48-year-old man to four years imprisonment for breaking into his neighbour’s home and stealing a quantity of jewellery, among other items.
John Alli of Lot 18 Bent Street, Werk-en-rust pleaded guilty to a break and enter and larceny charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
He admitted that on March 3, he broke and entered the home of Emerson Baptiste and stole three gold bands, six pairs of gold earrings, one gold chain, four gold rings, four silver rings, three silver chains, two silver bands, one platinum chain, two wristwatches, a cologne set and cash, a total value of $405,000.
Alli stated, “Yes I admit I break-in to de house.”
He stated that on the day of the incident Baptiste was not at home so he took out several louvre glass panes from his bedroom window to gain entry into the house.
He said that “everything dat I tek deh went in a bag under de bed.”
He said he took the items to a snackette near the Georgetown Public Hospital and sold them to the owner for $3,000.
He said he used this money to purchase food and clothing for himself.
Prosecutor Stephen Telford stated that on the day of the incident Baptiste had secured his home and left to go out but upon returning he found the front door open and his bedroom ransacked.
He said that Baptiste then discovered that the items mentioned in the charge were missing. He later made a report of the incident to the police station.
Baptiste, who was also in court, stated that Alli would normally operate as a handyman at his home.
He said that after Alli had committed the act he attempted to break into his home a second time that same day. (AB)