Axed employee hurt by losing his job, retaliates by stealing

A porter was so upset after being fired from his job, he attempted to steal meat from his former employer.

However, Marco Anthony Mayers did not escape the vigilant eyes of security officers and ended up before Magistrate Alison Burke in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today.

The 30-year-old of Seaview, St Philip, admitted to stealing one pack of ground bacon worth $18, a pack of streaky bacon worth $30, four hamburgers valued $18 and a portion of fish valued $7, a total value of $73, from Baby Doll Restaurant on December 5, 2020.

In revealing the facts, prosecutor Sergeant Edwin Pinder told the court that around 7:30 a.m. on that day the chef at the restaurant realized Mayers was not at his post since no clean dishes were being given to him to work with. He called the sister property Blue Pineapple and was told Mayers had been there but had left.

On his return to work there was the smell of alcohol on Mayers and he was fired on the spot. He left the premises and returned. As he started to leave again he was stopped by security and searched.

The items were found in his bag.

Mayers’ attorney-at-law Glenroy Goddard told the court that his client’s actions were “out of character” as he was a very good worker.

He argued it was his first offence and urged the magistrate not to impose a custodial sentence or to record a conviction against him.

While she told the convicted man she would not impose a custodial sentence Magistrate Burke cautioned him about taking up property that did not belong to him.

Mayers explained that losing his job had been especially hurtful.

“I was upset about getting fired. Getting locked up wasn’t as bad as getting fired,” he told the court.

The magistrate then reprimanded and discharged him on the offence and told him to stay out of trouble.