A 42-year-old labourer was yesterday sentenced to nine months imprisonment after pleading guilty to the charge of simple larceny when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

On May 22 at Georgetown, Anthony Leitch of 41 Prince William Street, Plaisance stole $15,298 worth of beverages, property of Victor Pierre.

The defendant told the court that he was innocent of the charges against him but would maintain his guilty plea as he didn’t want to pursue the matter since he had no bailer and no money to bail himself.

“Meh Worship, me aint know wah dey talking bout but I gun plead guilty cause me aint want prolong the matter.”

The virtual complainant (VC) explained to the court that on the day in question he left his stall for a short while and upon his return realised that the defendant had packed up the beverages in a bag and was leaving. He added that when he shouted at the defendant, he ran away.

Police Corporal Munilall Seetaram told the court that nothing was recovered and the defendant was not a first offender.

The magistrate then told Leitch that he would have to pay a fine of $25,000 or serve nine months imprisonment. Leitch then said that he would serve the nine months sentence since he had no money to pay the fine.