A young man who broke and entered the home of his stepmom and stole over $700,000 worth in items told the court that he did it to start a life of his own.
Rondel Richards, 20, of Lot 6 Tucville, told Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that he stole from his stepmother’s home two years ago because at the time he was young and he thought that he could make a life for himself. Richards pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between April 1 and August 6, 2014, at Port Kaituma, Water Front, he broke and entered the home of Savitri Harichan and stole $762,000 worth in household appliances, kitchen utensils and a mattress.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that, Richards is the stepson of the virtual complainant. On April 1 Harichan secured her home at Port Kaituma and left for Georgetown. When she returned on August 6 she discovered that her home had been broken into and her items were stolen. The matter was reported and the defendant was arrested.
The chief magistrate later asked the prosecutor why the police took two years to arrest the young man.
According to the prosecutor, Richards was in hiding in Port Kaituma backdam.
Richards also told the court that he no longer had the items since they were also stolen from him while he was in the backdam.
The chief magistrate subsequently ordered Richards to pay $200,000 to his stepmother or spend 12 months in prison.
