Thief thanks court for jail sentence

Magistrate Fazil Azeez on Wednesday sentenced a repeat-offender who admitted to stealing several items on two separate occasions to three years imprisonment when he appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

Ray Peters of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, admitted to two charges of larceny in the dwelling house and break and enter and larceny when he appeared at court.

According to the facts of the case Peters, on Boxing Day, at Den Amstel, stole one gold band and $4,500 from Shauna Landry, his sister. Landry, with whom Peters lives, discovered the items missing when she returned from work. He was sentenced to one year imprisonment for the offence.

Further, on Old Year’s Day, also at Den Amstel, Peters stole from the Restoration Assembly of God Church: 15 tins of Milo, two boxes of Crix biscuit, 10 packets of whole-wheat biscuits, 15 bottles of Avon deodorant, four bottles of perfume, 18 boxes of toothpaste, three jars of Vaseline, two tins of Milex, two bottles of Ideal oil, 10 bottles of oil, eight bars of Lux soap, six bottles of Tampico juice, 12 packets of Breeze soap powder, two packets of batteries, 12 tubs of margarine, eight packets of Roma soap powder, six tins of orange juice, six tins of corned beef, 1 packet of Kerrygold milk powder, eight tubs of butter, eight small jars of peanut butter and six large jars of peanut butter. The items are valued at $32,640.

The theft wasn’t discovered until two days later when the occupants of the upper flat of the building discovered that it was broken into and made a report. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment for the offence.

Police Prosecutor Jacqueline Skinner told the court that Peters is a known thief in Den Amstel and is known to the court. She said the man admitted to the offences when he was arrested and had told the officers that he had sold the gold band at the Stabroek Market.

When the magistrate asked Peters if he had anything to say in his defence, he said no. After the sentences were imposed on him Peters smiled and said “thank you.”

The sentences will run concurrently.