Guard jailed for 18 months for stealing Lenny Saith’s laptops

A 25-year-old security guard who stole two laptops belonging to Minister of Public Admin-istration Dr Lenny Saith, was jailed for 18 months’ hard labour yesterday. Kevin Small, of Macoya Gardens, Macoya, pleaded guilty on Thursday to breaking into the office of Dr Saith, situated on the seventh floor of the new National Library Complex on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain. Yesterday, Small was sentenced by Magistrate Marcia Thompson-Murray at the Port-of-Spain Fifth Magistrates’ Court.

Small was charged by Sgt Harvey Juwahir, of the Port-of-Spain CID, with breaking into Dr Saith’s office between Monday and Tuesday and stealing the laptops valued at $30,000. Small, who was a security guard attached to the Ministry of Public Administration for the past five months, was on duty last Monday night when he broke into the office of the Minister and removed the laptops. The discovery was made on Tuesday when staff and officials of the Ministry turned up for work. The laptops, which contained a lot of sensitive information on the Ministry and Government programmes, were discovered missing. The Minister was immediately informed and a report was made to the CID. Small was arrested by detectives when he turned up for work on Tuesday morning.

Police conducted searches at homes between Tunapuna and Cunupia before the two laptops were recovered. Another security guard was also questioned before Small admitted his role in the theft. Yesterday, social worker Ailene Bruce turned up in court and pleaded for mercy on behalf of the accused. She said Small took this security job so he would not be on the streets and on the Brian Lara Promenade at nights as he used to be. “He is ambitious and well-educated. I do not think that a custodial sentence will be beneficial to him and to society. He is remorseful,” Bruce added. The magistrate then asked, “do you think he had a good job when he was given a chance to work in the office of a Minister of Government?” Bruce replied yes. “He really needs help,” Bruce pleaded.

The magistrate then interjected, “he knows how to break into an office and steal. I have considered this matter. This offence carries a maximum sentence of ten years. I am concerned that you, being a security guard, was assigned to protect the same things that you stole. I don’t see many mitigating circumstances. “I have taken into account your clear record, that you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, but having regard to all the circumstances, I must impose a custodial sentence. I will look at a lesser sentence, so you will serve 18 months’ hard labour,” the magistrate ordered.