Man convicted of larceny

Mark Gokool, 34, stood before Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay charged with stealing over $40,000 in jewelry belonging to uncle Shah Gokool.

The court heard that Shah secured his house on the morning of April 16, and returned at 3.55 pm the following day.

He noticed two louvres from his bedroom window missing.

On checking, Shah realised several items of jewelry including rings, a wedding band and chains valued $38,500, and a watch worth US$800, missing.

The jewelry was kept in a chest of drawers in his bedroom. Shah reported the incident to the Ste Madeleine police and Gokool was arrested on the same day.

Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said that WPC Leeann Boodram reported that Gokool, previously convicted for cocaine possession, admitted to stealing the items but claimed to have already returned all but the watch, to his uncle. The watch, the accused said, was sold.

The stolen items were indeed recovered, but Shah denied that his nephew voluntarily returned them. Magistrate Dubay initiated a cross-examination of the two Gokools those involved. During cross-examination, both Shah and Gokool remained steadfast in their positions.

Magistrate Dubay asked PC Boodram if the items were returned to Shah in her presence or the presence of any other officer, to which the officer replied, “no.” Dubay concluded that there was no evidence of Gokool ever returning the stolen items and was thus guilty of larceny and house breaking.

Gokool offered to compensate and apologise to his uncle, but Shah said he did not want compensation.

“He draws very good,” said Shah. “He is an intelligent person. He just needs help. I just want him to go right.” Gokool was ordered to pay $2,000 compensation and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.