Michael Barton, 54, who admitted to stealing from his former employer, was placed on a bond to keep the peace yesterday after telling a city court that he was frustrated due to being pushed around to get medical aid for injuries he received on the job.
Barton pleaded guilty to a charge of break and enter and larceny when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan.
It was alleged on November 21, at Kwakwani Park, Upper Berbice River, he broke and entered the storeroom of Arnold Barkoye and stole a quantity of items, totaling $308,000.
According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, Barkoye secured his home at Kwakwani and left. However, after being alerted by his neighbour, he returned and discovered articles missing. Investigations were carried out and Barton was later charged.
Barton told the court that he received injuries while he was working for Barkoye and every time he approached the man to seek assistance to get medical attention he kept putting off his promise to help. “He keep pushing me around and I get passion and did what I had to do,” said Barton, who told the court he did not have money and he was trying everything to get himself looked after.
Barton also said he did not have the articles that were stolen and that the police did.
The court was subsequently told that the articles were in fact lost for some time and it was only a toolkit that was stolen by Barton.
After taking into consideration the facts of the matter, the magistrate told Barton that the court understood that he stole the item for a reason and not for his own aim. He was then placed on a bond to keep the peace for 12 months. However, failure to do so will result in three months’ imprisonment.
He was also advised to seek medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital for the injuries he received.
