Grove man jailed, another fined for shoplifting from supermarket

A labourer who attempted to steal cosmetics from a Bounty Supermarket, was yesterday sentenced to three months imprisonment.

Jagdesh Boodnarine, a labourer, appeared before city magistrate Ann McLennan and admitted to the crime.

When asked by the court if he had anything to say regarding the theft, Boodnarine said, “No Miss.” Additionally, when asked why he had nothing to say, he offered no response.

Nasif Azeem
Nasif Azeem

Boodnarine, whose address was given as 65 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, accepted that on August 3 he stole a quantity of deodorants and skin lotion, valued $3,764, from the Bounty Supermarket located at Grove.

The prosecution’s facts stated that on the day in question, Boodnarine went into the supermarket and was observed by a security guard acting in a suspicious manner.

A search was later conducted on his person and a quantity of deodorants and skin cream were found in his possession. The court heard that after being questioned, he said he picked up the items off the shelf.

A report was subsequently made to the police and Boodnarine was arrested and charged.

Meanwhile, also appearing before the magistrate was 19-year-old Nasif Azeem, who was charged with stealing a quantity of foodstuff from the supermarket.

The young man accepted that on August 2, he stole a quantity of foodstuff, valued $2,044, from the Supermarket.

In his explanation to the court, Azeem said that he works with a cane juice vendor who went to run an errand on the day in question and left him without money.

He said that he began to feel hungry and went into the supermarket, where he picked up some cheddar and tiptop cheese, and Devon chocolate biscuits before walking out.

“I din do it to sell back or nothing like that,” Azeem emphasized, adding, “Ah tek it because ah been hungry meh worship.”

The prosecution’s facts stated that on the day in question at about 7:50pm, Azeem entered the supermarket and was seen by the security guard, who kept monitoring his movements after he was observed acting in a suspicious manner.

The court heard that he later exited the building and was approached on the road by the guard, who conducted a search of his person and found a quantity of cheddar and tiptop cheese, and Devon chocolate biscuits in his pants waist.

The matter was reported and Azeem was arrested and charged.

After hearing the case, Magistrate McLennan fined him $25,000 in default of which he will have to spend three months in prison.