Pregnant mom jailed for stealing a ring

A pregnant mother of one was  jailed Thursday for 18 months with hard labour for stealing a visitor’s 750-karat gold ring. Josanne Constantine, 19, originally from Trinidad, but who was living at Glen Road in Scarborough, was sentenced by Scarborough Senior Magistrate Annette McKenzie. Constantine, who was employed as a security guard, was charged by Detective Alicia Piggott, of Old Grange Police. She pleaded guilty. Constantine, the mother of an infant boy, did not respond when asked by the Magistrate to explain her actions. Before and after the facts were presented, the Magistrate virtually begged the young woman to say something but she remained silent. Prosecutor, Ag Insp Fitzroy Gray told the court that Natalie Gorgean, of Luxembourg, who was holidaying in Tobago and staying at Mt Hay Retreat in the Black Rock/Grafton area, left the ring valued at US$4,000 in her make-up bag at the villa she was occupying and went out around 6.30 pm on February 23.

Several workers at the establishment, including Constantine who was guarding the premises, were present at the time, the court was told. Gorgean returned some five hours later but did not check her belongings before retiring. However, around 7 am the following day, she realised that the ring was missing. The owner of the establishment was prepared to alert the police; but Gorgean is said to have called the workers together and explained the sentimental value of the ring to her, and pleaded for its return. The victim also reportedly offered $500 for the return of the ring, no questions asked and with no police involvement. On Wednesday, with the ring still missing, the matter was reported to the police. The court heard that when Detective Piggott confronted Constantine, she admitted that she had stolen the ring and taken it home. Constantine further told Piggott that she had hidden the ring in a stove at the villa, having taken it back there that day, the court was told. Piggott subsequently recovered the ring. The victim reportedly left the island on Friday.