Car thief jailed for two years

Joshua, who served time for stealing a bag of flour from a former employer, was accused of not learning from that experience and was warned to stop his dishonest behaviour.

“Stop this thievery and get yourself a job when you get out of jail,” Brook told the convicted man.

According to the State’s case, outlined by prosecutor Alexander Prince, Hammie Dodds parked his car in the yard of his home on April 27 2003, and was awakened by a screeching sound at 2 am the next morning.

On looking out of a window, Dodds saw his car being driven off and filed a report at the Sangre Grande Police Station.

On November 15 that year, Dodds saw a car resembling his own which bore a different number plate. He filed a report at the Sangre Grande Police Station and the vehicle was intercepted at the Guaico gas station with three men inside. The men were arrested and taken to the police station where the vehicle’s chassis number was checked against the registration, and a match was found.

Joshua told the officers he had made a $5,000 down payment on the car to a man named Ralph Hart from Arouca.

However, when Hart was questioned by the police in Joshua’s presence, he denied selling the car to Joshua, adding he had never seen the convicted man before that day. Joshua was subsequently charged by PC Alan Khan. At the trial, Joshua was represented by Hayden Sinclair Douglas.