An ex-convict was fined $25,000 on Friday for breaking and entering.
O’Brian Bobb, of Lot 22, Bel Air, was told by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown that if he cannot pay the fine, he would have to serve four weeks in jail.
The court heard that between February 11 and February 12, at Black Water Landing, Essequibo, Bobb broke and entered the dwelling house of Jainarine Jairam and stole a generator valued at $180,000. He was also accused of unlawfully and maliciously damaging a cable wire, valued at $10,000.
Bobb, 31, pleaded guilty with explanation to both charges.
According to the facts presented to the court, Jairam had secured his building with the items mentioned in the charge and went to bed. The following day, he awoke and discovered that his door was opened and the items were missing. He later reported the matter to the Mahdia Police Station, which resulted in investigations being carried out and Bobb being contacted. When contacted and told of the allegation, Bobb handed over the articles to the police and was later charged for the crimes.
When asked if he had anything to say, Bobb stated that the building was old and abandoned. He said no one had access to it. He further told the court that he saw the old generator and thought he could have found parts to make it work and then sell it to receive money to support his five children and his hospitalized grandmother.
He noted that when Jairam told him that the generator was his, he gave it back to him. As it relates to the cable wire, Bobb stated that since it was old, he decided to use it as clothes line.
The court also heard from Bobb that he served a 24-month prison sentence in Brazil for assault and was released in 2015.
The Chief Magistrate subsequently fined Bobb for the breaking and entering charge. In relation to the second charge, Bobb was reprimanded and discharged.
