A man who claimed that he was intoxicated when he stole a woman’s phone and sold it, was yesterday sentenced to six months imprisonment after admitting to the charge of larceny.
Twenty-four-year-old Joshua Austin, of Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was charged with stealing a Samsung S10 cellular phone from Navia Jackman on February 3, at Main Street, Georgetown, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Austin who pleaded guilty to the charge was sentenced to six months behind bars.
The court heard that Jackman was at an event on Main Street on the day in question when she noticed a male wearing a black jersey, a grey hoodie, and a short blue pants, was observing her.
After a few minutes, she took out her phone from her handbag and started to capture some photos when the accused suddenly approached her and snatched the phone out of her hands and fled.
The following day, on February 4, Jackman was on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, when she noticed the man wearing the same clothes at a house in D’Urban Street. She quickly contacted the police who attended the location and apprehended the man.
The police then informed Austin of the allegation made against him to which he admitted and while under caution told them that he had sold the cellphone.
In court yesterday the defendant told the magistrate that he was under the influence of alcohol and that he was willing to repay the victim for her stolen item. However that opportunity was not open to him since he had pleaded guilty to the charge.
Austin is known to the police since he has been charged with several armed robberies.
