A construction worker was yesterday fined $75,000 after he admitted stealing a Samsung Galaxy cellphone from a “wake house.”
Junior Sears, 19, of Farmers Field, was accused of stealing a Samsung Galaxy valued $90,000 and US$300 belonging to Shawn George. Sears pleaded guilty to the charge but promptly told the court that while he had stolen the cellphone, he had no hand in the missing money.
The complainant, George, was not present for the hearing yesterday as he had travelled overseas shortly after the incident occurred.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones, reporting the facts of the matter, stated that on August 13, George had held a wake for his brother at his East Ruimveldt residence and had placed his phone downstairs to charge. The man had also reportedly put US$300 at the bottom of the cellphone, secured by the case. When the complainant returned, he discovered that the phone and money were missing and received information that Sears had been the perpetrator.
Sears, in relating his side of the story, said that the allegation that he stole money from George was false. He added that there was no case on the phone when he picked it up. The defendant further claimed that he was not arrested right away, but was in fact taken into custody a month later.
Seemingly remorseful, when asked by Magistrate Ann McLennan why he’d stolen the phone, the man replied that it was because he was out of work at the time and added, “Everyone makes mistakes.”
Magistrate McLennan pointed out the seriousness of the crime the defendant had committed but told the man that this time she would give him a chance in the hope that he would become a better person for it. With that said, she fined Sears $75,000, which, if he is unable to pay, he will be required to spend six months in prison.
