Teen pleads guilty to stealing US $820

A 17-YEAR-OLD female baby sitter appeared in court yesterday and pleaded guilty to stealing US $820 from her employer who is the sister of a magistrate. Diana Dabideen who told the magistrate she committed the act to help the family of her boyfriend, was subsequently reprimanded and discharged after her family paid the amount of stolen money which had not been recovered. The charge was laid by PC Hugh Elbourne of the San Fernando CID. Court prosecutor acting Sgt Wendell Fernando told the court the incident occurred sometime between May 14 and 18, at Lewis Street, San Fernando, at the home of Sylvia Ramsaran.

On Tuesday Ramsaran, the sister of Magistrate Siumongal Ramsaran noticed the money missing and  reported the matter to police. During investigations by PC Elbourne, Dabideen admitted taking the cash which when converted to TT dollars is roughly $5,125. US $400 was recovered by the police.  Attorney Frank Arthur Seepersad asked Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington to reprimand and discharge his client saying she was young and had a bright future ahead  of her.

Seepersad said a conviction against his client, who has a full certificate at CXC O’ Levels, would prove to be a  disadvantage as she attempts to advance herself. Dabideen told the court that relatives of her boyfriend needed financial assistance and she decided steal the money to help them. In court yesterday relatives of the accused to repay US $420 which was not recovered. Magistrate Wellington issued a stern warning to Dabideen and reprimanded and discharged her.