A porter was sentenced to jail yesterday after admitting to breaking and entering a home and stealing approximately $470,000 in electronics and personal items.
Damian Austin, 38, of 1313 Norton Street, Lodge, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to the charge at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 11.
While Austin was sentenced, businessman Dexter Cummings, who allegedly purchased one of the stolen items from Austin, was placed on bail after denying the charge.
The charge against Austin stated that between March 11 and March 12, 2015, Austin broke into Mahendra Carpen’s residence and stole an Apple laptop, valued at $260,000, an Apple iPod, valued at $60,000, a black leather bag, valued at 80,000, and a leather wallet valued at $70,000.
According to Prosecutor Adduni Inniss, on March 11, 2015, Carpen secured the lower flat of his home and left the items that were later stolen on the table. He proceeded to the upper flat of the house with his family and retired to bed at around 11 pm.
On March 12, Inniss added, Carpen proceeded to the lower flat and noticed the eastern door and grill were opened, the padlock was broken and his property was missing.
The burglary was subsequently reported to the police and, based on information obtained, Austin was arrested with two of the items, the iPod and the wallet, found in his possession. The other articles were recovered, the prosecutor added.
After listening to the presentation of the prosecution, Magistrate Annette Singh explained that the court took into consideration that Austin had two children and he did not waste the court’s time by proclaiming his guilt. He was then sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Meanwhile, Cummings, 52, who resides at 197 Oronoque Street, pleaded not guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1.
It was alleged that on March 12, 2015, Cummings purchased a laptop from Austin with full knowledge that it was stolen.
Cummings’ attorney stated that the man had no prior convictions and owned a pharmacy for over 30 years. As a result, he pleaded for a reasonable bail for Cummings.
Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry placed Cummings on $75,000 bail and his next court date is March 30, 2015.
