“I needed some personal effects to finish college” was the explanation given by a police trainee on Tuesday after he was charged with stealing his friend’s items.
Jamaal December is accused of stealing from Luther Hoyte, on August 26, at the Felix Austin College, Eve Leary, $9,000 in cash, and a Polo wallet valued at $5,000.
The young man, who was brought before Magistrate Leron Daly, pleaded guilty to the allegation.
When asked why he took the items the 21-year-old defendant told the court that he had three more weeks in college and needed some personal effects to be able to complete college.
He added that he did not intend to commit the offence and that he explained the situation to his friend and apologised.
According to the facts presented by the prosecution, the complainant had left the articles mentioned in the charge and went into the washroom but when he returned the items were gone.
The court heard that the stolen cash was returned to the complainant.
Magistrate Daly later ordered that the defendant be placed on $30,000 bail until the completion of a probationary report.
The defendant is also expected to report to the Criminal Investigation Department every Monday and Friday.
The matter was later adjourned to October 3 when the probationary report is to be read and sentencing handed down to the defendant.
