Drug addict begs for rehab help, admits he stole brush cutter

“I desperately need your help,” was the plea of a homeless drug addict, who was on Tuesday charged with stealing a brush cutter.

Fifty-three-year-old Guy Madison appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore where the charge read to him stated that on July 5 at Lot 50 Brickdam he stole a grass cutter valued $90,000.

Madison, who told the court that he has been homeless for the past year and a half, pleaded guilty to the offence.

Guy Madison
Guy Madison

When asked why he stole the grass cutter, he related to the court that he owed money to a particular drug dealer and was unable to pay off his debt, hence he decided to steal the grass cutter.

“As a man,” he said, “I have to take responsibility for my action.”

The defendant then pleaded with the magistrate to send him to a drug programme, because he is desperately in need of help and cannot continue making the same mistakes.

Considering the defendant’s plea, the magistrate spoke to the probation officer who informed her that although there is a programme outside of the prison there is no system in place to keep him there. The court heard that there are programmes in place at the prison for addicts that the defendant can become a part of.

Madison, who seemed knowledgeable, stated that while there are programmes being offered in the prison system most persons are not sincere about changing and he would be unable to receive support from those persons.

Nevertheless, the magistrate encouraged him to take part in the programmes offered at the prison and sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment.