“Ow mods (mother) ow,” Carlos Braithwaite begged acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, after he was fined $20,000 or nine months in jail for simple larceny.
Braithwaite first pleaded not guilty to stealing a kitchen sink valued $50,000, two pairs of steel rods and other items, valued a total of $550,000 on February 10. The material is the property of Clyde Samson.
In an emotional explanation, Braithwaite said that he saw two rotten half drums and was breaking them up to get them sold. He said he got the rods from another person. He vehemently denied stealing any sink and broke into tears, telling the magistrate how he had recently come out of hospital and was to get his hair cut by his mother. He said that the VC pulled a gun on him and threatened him. Braithwaite, who said he was hungry, also told the magistrate that he did not even get a chance to inform his mother that he was in jail.
Referring to the magistrate as “mods” or sometimes as “aunty,” he begged that he not be returned to jail, “I tell you from me heart me aint go in he yard.”
Meanwhile, Samson said that Braithwaite was observed going into his yard by neighbours as well and admitted that when he caught him with the steel rod he pulled his gun on him and told him not to move. He said at the same time a police patrol was in the vicinity and Braithwaite was apprehended.
Braithwaite continued to beg and cry to the magistrate and changed his plea to guilty so that the matter would not continue. But when he was told that his fine was $20,000 or nine months in jail, he begged more loudly and suddenly dropped to the floor and curled up on his side crying.
He got up only to beg the magistrate again. He had to be taken away by the prosecutor and the court orderly but they had a difficult time because he held tightly to the bar.
He again begged the magistrate some more and then started to beg Samson before being escorted out of the courtroom.
