`An Albouystown man who pleaded guilty to breaking into an apartment and stealing several gadgets amounting to over $300,000, was on Monday sentenced to eight months in jail.
Christopher Gonsalves, 30, of Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, appeared virtually at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus handed down the sentence.
Gonsalves had previously confessed that on January 21, at Camp Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, he broke into the apartment and stole a haversack, two laptops, a Nigerian passport, personal documents, a cellphone, a bag, a charger, several flash drives, and other personal items, amounting to $389,500, in value.
The facts of the matter stated that the virtual complainants secured the apartment with the necessary devices and went to sleep at about 00:30 hrs. At around 03:30 hrs, the male occupant was awakened by his girlfriend, who told him that someone was in the apartment. The pair then made checks and observed that the articles mentioned in the charge were missing. The police were informed and an investigation was launched. During the investigation, the police were informed that Gonsalves had committed the crime and he was later arrested.
Gonsalves told the court that he was under the influence and he didn’t know that he took the people’s belongings. He also said that the apartment door was open and he returned the items. However, on Monday, the virtual complainants told the court that some items were still outstanding.
The probation report was read to the court which stated that Gonsalves was convicted three times prior to this matter being brought to court. It also stated that Gonsalves was convicted of possession of narcotics, trafficking of narcotics, and perverting the course of justice. The probation officer told the court that the man, who is constantly in trouble with the law, should be punished but also allowed a chance to redeem himself in society through programmes offered in prison.
The police prosecutor suggested that nine months in jail should be sufficient time for Gonsalves to think about his actions. Gonsalves who apologised to the court and the virtual complainants, asked that the court be lenient. He offered that three months in jail was an appropriate penalty and reminded that he had been on remand for a month already. The magistrate, after considering the man’s time on remand, the items recovered and his remorseful attitude, handed down a sentence of eight months in jail. However, she warned Gonsalves that it was his actions that caused this and stressed that if he is brought before her again, she will give him the maximum penalty.
