Teen stole phone belonging to father’s boss

Facing a three-year prison sentence after admitting to stealing a smartphone, a teen was on Friday given a reprieve ahead of sentencing after an attorney appealed on his behalf, while arguing that jail would only make the young man much worse.

Godfrey Pereira, 19, of 58 Fifth Street, Albert-town, was charged with stealing a $120,000 Sam-sung Galaxy smartphone on February 6 from a car he was tasked with washing. Pereira, employed at a wash bay on Quamina Street, admitted to stealing the phone from Ronnie Hooper’s car. Hooper is Pereira’s father’s boss, the court heard.

According to Prosecutor Michael Grant, at about 10:30hrs on Thursday, Pereira’s father took the car to the wash bay to be washed and cleaned. At the time, Hooper’s cellphone was left in the car. However, it was discovered missing upon return. Hooper notified Pereira’s father, who, in