Carpenter held for toiletry theft

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James man who reportedly stole six Gillette deodorants and a Listerine mouthwash from a supermarket was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Thirty-year-old carpenter Michael Perkins of a Montego Bay address pleaded guilty to simple larceny. He will be brought back to court on July 22, at which time a social enquiry report is to be prepared to assist in determining his sentence.

The court was told that on July 3, Perkins went to the MegaMart shopping centre in Montego Bay where he reportedly stole six deodorants and a bottle of mouthwash. However, he was held by a security officer and was later arrested and charged.

In court, Perkins told presiding magistrate Carolyn Tie that he stole the items because he needed money.

Want money

"That day, I was broke. I wanted some money to buy food, and I was going to 'purchase' (sell) them back to get a little small change," said Perkins.

"What kind of work do you do?" asked Tie.

"I'm a carpenter, but I am not working. I have six children, and they are with my stepfather," said Perkins.

Tie ordered that a social enquiry report be prepared to assist in deciding Perkins's sentence even as she remanded him in police custody.

"I will ask for a social enquiry report even if it's a verbal one. You will be brought back here on July 22," the magistrate told Perkins.

- C.T.