Mother on bond for stealing popcorn, eggs

A 51-year-old mother of two was placed on a one-year bond for stealing grocery items from Hi-Lo Food Stores, San Juan, when she appeared before City Magistrate David Harris in the Port-of-Spain Third Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Patsy Gibbs pleaded guilty to stealing two packs of microwave popcorn, two packs of bacon and eggs, one whole chicken, two packs of Browne’s gravy mix and one pack short ribs together costing $67.65. The court heard that an on-duty security guard attached to TELECOM Security Services observed Gibbs enter Hi-Lo, San Juan, with a black handbag. She took a trolley and shopped for a while, after which she picked up the microwave popcorn, bacon and eggs, chicken, gravy mix and short ribs and placed the items in her handbag. She went to the cashier and paid for the items in the trolley, however, she did not pay for the items in her bag. She then left the store. The security guard confronted her, searched the bag and retrieved the items. He cautioned her and she told him that she “was going to get money to pay for them.” The security guard took her back into the store and reported the incident to the manager.

Gibbs was then taken to the San Juan Police Station where she was charged for the offence. In mitigation defence attorney Patrick Godson Phillip begged the court to be lenient with Gibbs since she had no prior or pending matters before any court. He explained that the incident was an unfortunate one, which has caused Gibbs a great deal of embarrassment. The magistrate then informed Gibbs that he was placing her on a bond to keep the peace for one year. He explained to her that she must not get into any kind of trouble with the law during that time.