2 years jail for stealing phone

Warwood pleaded guilty to larceny of a Samsung S5 cellphone on October 9, from teacher Melissa Lutchmansingh.

Court prosecutor Sgt Ian Sylvan said that at 3.35 pm, Lutchmansingh was walking along Coffee Street in San Fernando when Warwood snatched the phone which the teacher was using. Constable Mohess of San Fernando CID conducted investigations and arrested Warwood, whom the prosecutor said, could not account for the phone’s whereabouts. Attorney Ainsley Lucky pleaded for leniency, asking the magistrate not to send Warwood to prison, for he was remorseful for the act.

Warwood was given an opportunity to apologise in court to the teacher and he said, “I’m sorry for what I did and I ask for your forgiveness.” Magistrate Diop then asked Warwood, “What did you do with the phone?” Attorney Lucky replied, “Your Worship, he did the most stupid thing and discarded the phone. He is a radiator specialist; the man whom you call when things heat up (in the car engine). Unfortunately though, he works not for himself and therein lies the problem. He is being exploited.” Magistrate Diop said the court was not moved to grant leniency to Warwood by way of a fine. She said that due regard and respect for people’s property are a must and according to the Larceny Act, Section 11:12 (15), a maximum sentence of ten years in prison can be imposed on the guilty.

“The fact that you got rid of someone else’s property, is disturbing,” the magistrate said as she ordered the accused to be imprisoned for two years with hard labour. The court heard that the accused was out on bail pending the date for his trial in the High Courts for kidnapping.