A city man was yesterday fined for breaking and entering his father’s house and stealing a quantity of items.
Wazim Pereira, 23, of 111 North Sophia, pleaded guilty to breaking into his father Raymond Pereira’s house and stealing a glass cutting machine, a bicycle, a bicycle pump, a tin of paint, and an artificial gold chain, all amounting to $128,000.
The crime was committed on August 1st at North Sophia.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court of Magistrate Ann McLennan that Raymond Pereira secured his home on July 31st and left his keys with another son. Upon his return on August 1st, he found that his house had been broken into and several items were missing. Jones stated that the complainant later received information that it was his son, Wazim, who had broken into the house and stolen items in order to buy cocaine.
Wazim Pereira, although he had earlier pleaded guilty, stated that his father had bought the glass cutting machine for him to work and assist his family. After a falling out between the two, he said he decided to retrieve the machine from his father’s house and sell it so he could pursue his own endeavours.
The man’s father admitted to purchasing the machine for his son but explained that he took it back from him as he had a habit of pawning the machine and leaving it about.
Wazim, defending himself against the break and enter charge, stated that he had not broken into the house as was previously claimed but that his father had in fact entrusted the keys to him.
Prosecutor Jones informed the court that all the stolen items had been recovered.
Wazim Pereira was eventually fined $50,000 by Magistrate McLennan. If he is unable to pay the fine, he will be required to spend eight weeks in prison.
Meanwhile, also appearing in court yesterday was Robert Jawahir, who had bought the cutting machine from Wazim. Jawahir, 54, of 20 Pike Street, Kitty, was charged with buying stolen property.
Jawahir’s attorney told the court that the machine, which is valued at $99,000, had been returned and was in the custody of the police.
After considering the details of the case presented, Magistrate McLennan ordered that the charge against Jawahir be dismissed.
