A 20-year-old man who pleaded guilty to seven counts of break and enter and simple larceny charges was yesterday sentenced to four years imprisonment after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The convict will spend only four years in jail, after he successfully asked the court to allow the sentences to run concurrently.
Between September 19 and 20 at Da Silva Street, Kitty, Renald Charles allegedly broke and entered the home of Jenelle Berks and stole one Blackberry cellular phone along with other items valued a total of $160,000. The man pleaded not guilty to this charge but guilty to all of the other offences when they were read to him by Magistrate Sueanna Lovell.
On October 4, at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, the accused broke and entered the home of Tyron De Freitas and stole items valued $120,000. On August 16 at Da Silva Street, Kitty, Charles stole two cellular phones valued $35,000.
Again, between November 10 and 11 at Georgetown the defendant stole a car valued $4 million belonging to Sultan Kassim. On the same day the man also broke and entered the home of Kassim and stole a television set and cellular phones, along with other items, valued a total of $476,000.
On November 13 at Gordon Street, Kitty, Charles broke and entered the dwelling place of Patricia Young and stole a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery, one camera and accessories, valued a total of $496,000.
Then between December 2 and 3 at Gordon Street, Kitty, Charles stole motorcar PJJ 4029, valued $1.2 million, property of Ena Benjamin. Also on the same day the man broke and entered the dwelling place of Benjamin and stole gold jewellery and Guyana currency totaling $35,000.
According to the facts, on the day in question Benjamin secured her car in front of her home. On the following morning, Benjamin’s mother was awakened by a strange noise coming from the front door of her home. As a result she made checks and found Charles in her dining area.
The woman raised an alarm and the man attempted unsuccessfully to drive away with the articles in the car.
The matter was reported and Charles was arrested, placed on ID parade and positively identified as the perpetrator.
When questioned by the police said, Charles said he felt “wicked” and that was the reason he committed the unlawful act.
Given a chance to speak, Charles asked the court to pardon his behaviour, explaining that he committed the acts because he was maintaining some of his friend’s children.
“I want to apologize for all the things that I have done. The reason why I did it is because I have young ones, I does take care of my friend children. I try pushing them to school because their father isn’t doing a good job. Please be lenient on me. If I have to work and pay back these people I would do so.”
In handing down the sentence the court took into consideration both the mitigating and aggravating circumstances.
The magistrate stressed to Charles, who was neatly dressed in a striped blue shirt tucked in his khaki pants, that actions have consequences. “These people worked hard for their things. I hope they can get back their belongings. Use the time you spend in jail to reflect and change your life around,” she admonished Charles.
