Barbados repeat offender sent to rehab instead of prison for three thefts

A 55-year-old Barbados man guilty of three shoplifting offences has been ordered into a residential rehab programme at Verdun House rather than jailed for a year.

Magistrate orders shoplifter into Verdun House rehabilitation programme

A 55-year-old repeat offender who pleaded guilty to three separate acts of shoplifting has been directed into a residential drug rehabilitation programme instead of serving a one-year prison sentence, barbadostoday.bb reports.

St Elias Charles, a cleaner of King William Street, The City, admitted in the No. 1 District 'A' Magistrates' Court to stealing a $329.99 bottle of perfume from Barbados Duty Free on 2 May, a $95 ham from BJ's Value Mart trading as Popular Discount on 21 May, and a $99.99 speaker from Unicomer Trading on 30 May.

Charles told the court he had never previously had access to drug rehabilitation and asked to be given the opportunity. He was remanded while a psychiatric report was ordered.

Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick, citing the report's findings, outlined its recommendation that Charles be placed in the residential programme at Verdun House. The court was subsequently informed that Charles had been accepted into the programme.

Frederick addressed Charles directly: "We are taking a chance on you. We don't ever give up on people. Some people will say 'Man he just trying to trick the system'. We can never know but we will give him the chance."

The magistrate ordered Charles to complete the programme in full, warning that any breach would result in a one-year custodial sentence.

Charles responded to the magistrate: "Sir, you explained something to me last time and I took it into consideration and I studied it in the cells down there. What you tell me makes sense so the opportunity you give me, I will try to put it to good use."

Frederick's reply was brief: "Grab it with both hands and good luck."

The case was adjourned to 2 November.

Source: Google News BB — Crime