Nine months for ‘hungry’ school burglar

Milton Smith, who admitted that he broke into the Comenius Primary School to steal biscuits because he was hungry, was on Tuesday sentenced to nine months imprisonment by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Smith, 39, of 169 Thomas Street, Georgetown, was sentenced after a probation report was presented to the court. He had admitted his guilt when he was charged last Tuesday.

The probation officer, in her report, recommended that Smith undergo a psychiatric evaluation. When asked by the Magistrate if he wanted to be mentally evaluated before being sentenced, Smith said that he preferred to be sentenced and not evaluated.

He then suggested to the Magistrate that a two-month prison sentence be ordered.

During sentencing, Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry noted that while the offence carries a maximum of five years imprisonment, she took into consideration Smith not wasting the court’s time. She also noted that he had no previous convictions.

Smith accepted that on February 27, at Anira Street, Queenstown, he broke and entered the Comenius Primary School and stole six rolls of toilet paper, biscuits and other items, amounting to $4,050 in value. The items were the property of the Ministry of Education.

When asked why he broke into the school, Smith told the Magistrate: “I go fuh tek biscuit ’cause I was hungry, and on de way out I see de things and I scramble them up.”