An East Ruimveldt man has opted to spend the next three weeks in prison for stealing six concrete blocks belonging to a pastor.
Cecil Forde, 43, of Lot 741 East Ruimveldt, pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $10,000 with an alternative of three weeks in jail. He said he would serve the jail sentence since he could not afford to pay the fine when he appeared yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.
It was alleged that on November 13, at East Ruimveldt, Forde stole from Simon Harris six concrete blocks, valued $600.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones said that Forde and Harris, who is a pastor, are familiar with each other. He added that Forde had visited Harris’s church and then stole the blocks from the church compound.
Jones further stated that Harris then approached Forde, who admitted that he had stolen the blocks and promised to return them. However, he failed to do so and the matter was subsequently reported to the police. Forde was later arrested.
When given a chance to speak, Forde admitted to the court that he had stolen the blocks. He further asked the Lord for forgiveness. “I asking to accept Christ as my Lord and saviour and I understand Harris is a good man,” Forde said.
Magistrate Ann McLennan, who heard the case, asked Forde why he stole the blocks and Forde said that he wanted to use the blocks to stop floodwaters from getting inside his home.
Magistrate McLennan then inquired, “So why didn’t you ask the pastor for the blocks?”
“Ah know dah. I shudda ask he fuh true but yo’ honour, sometimes meh brain don’t be thinking so fast,” Forde said.
He was then fined $10,000 and was told that if he fails to pay the fine he would be imprisoned for a period of three weeks. Forde then exclaimed, “Man ah gon tek the three weeks ’cause ah can’t afford $10,000 fine.”
