Body wash thief to be sentenced

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James man who allegedly stole eight bottles of bath and body wash while he was supposedly high on cocaine had his sentencing deferred until December 19 when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Forty-eight-year-old Donovan Rashford of John's Hall in St James should have been sentenced on Monday after he pleaded guilty with explanation to simple larceny during his previous court appearance on November 17. However, the court was told that the social-enquiry report to determine his sentence was not ready.

It is reported that on November 10, Rashford attempted to steal eight bottles of bath and body wash from the Hi-Lo Supermarket at Fairview in Montego Bay. He was spotted, apprehended, and subsequently arrested and charged.

During his last court appearance, Rashford admitted to the court that he was high on cocaine at the time of the incident.

In court on Monday, it was revealed that Rashford's social-enquiry report had not been completed as none of his relatives had come forward to assist in compiling the information about him, despite him having previously provided addresses for his family members.

NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT FAMILY

"Did anybody visit you while you were at the police station?" Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small asked the defendant.

"No, Your Honour. I didn't try to contact anybody because I did not get the access to call them," answered Rashford.

"We cannot assist you if you cannot give us a method by which we can contact the people," Wong-Small told the defendant.

Rashford was subsequently remanded in custody until December 19, at which time contact is to be made with his family and the report completed. The report will be used in determining his sentence.

"We are going to bring you back to court on December 19. You are remanded until then. Sentencing is set for the 19th of December," the judge said.