A man accused of snatching a woman’s gold band off her hand yesterday said he wanted to plead guilty just to avoid the stress of having to go to court.
He was however placed on $35,000 bail after acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry sitting at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court declined to accept the plea.
The allegation is that on October 3 at Georgetown, Hosaé Hopkinson of Guyhoc Park stole from the person of Daniela Boston one gold band valued $20,000, property of the said Daniela Boston.
The mini-bus conductor pleaded not guilty to the charge of larceny from the person when it was read to him by the acting chief magistrate.
Prosecutor Lionel Harvey said that on the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) was a passenger sitting in a route 45 minibus at the bus park when the defendant approached at a window and snatched the band from the complainant’s hand.
According to Harvey the accused then made good his escape on foot. However, public-spirited citizens promptly raised an alarm and gave chase which resulted in the defendant’s apprehension and subsequent arrest.
Hopkinson in giving his version of the story after initially pleading not guilty said that although it was not he who had stolen the article from the woman, he wished to plead guilty as he wanted to bring an end to the matter, contending that the justice system was “too frustrating.”
“Meh worship, is nah me thief this woman thing but I want plead guilty because me ent able deh stressing, stressing meself and running, running to court every minute,” Hopkinson stated.
The magistrate cautioned the defendant, however, that based on his explanation that it was not he who had stolen the woman’s band, she could not accept a guilty plea from him and he would have to maintain his not guilty plea instead.
“Sir, you are clearly not accepting that you are the one responsible for what transpired, as a result I cannot accept your guilty plea,” the magistrate advised.
The defendant after being told that his guilty plea would not be accepted by the court became enraged and amidst loud crying began behaving disorderly although cautioned by the court’s orderly to conduct himself in a proper manner.
“Meh worship I want plead guilty, I ent able with the stress a running, running to court every minute.”
The magistrate then ordered that the disorderly Hopkinson be escorted from the courtroom and returned when he was fully composed.
Returning to the courtroom some hours after, Hopkinson apologized to the magistrate for his earlier misconduct, stating that he was “just frustrated.”
As the case continued, the prosecution said that it had no objection to the accused being granted his pretrial liberty.
Hopkinson was later admitted to bail in the sum of $35,000 and warned by the magistrate not to interfere with or have anything to say to the complainant.
Hopkinson will return to court on October 26.
