Wood thieves get nine months in jail

What they thought would be a quick payday ended in a nine-month stay at Dodds for two men who “found” new building materials “on the side of the roadway”.

Omar McDonald Sealy, 43, of no fixed place of abode, was sentenced to that time in prison for stealing a toolbox, 800 nails, a spray can, and 20 pieces of wood, with a total approximate value of $855, belonging to Yusuf Bhamjee on April 28. His accomplice, 27-year-old Shamar Shaquan Erwin Inniss of Prescod Bottom, Hindsbury Road, St Michael was also given the same jail time for the offence and an additional nine months in prison for breaching a previously imposed suspended sentence. Inniss’ sentences will run concurrently.

Police, according to Station Sergeant Crishna Williams, were on patrol in the Bank Hall, St Michael area when they observed three men removing material from a worksite and putting the items in a trolley. On seeing the police, the trio attempted to run. Inniss and Sealy were apprehended and the third man escaped.

In trying to explain his actions, Sealy told Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes: “I see these [pieces of] wood lying on the side of the road. I tell myself I gine take up four of them. As I move them short there, the police come and say this is stolen wood. I make a wrong decision.”

Sealy also admitted that he realised that the items were “new brand wood” but “I told myself I gine tek a chance and tek four.”

Inniss, meantime, said: “We see this wood, and we decide to take it up. At least we ain’t breaking into anybody place . . . . We say we gine tek 2 or 3 or 4. As we was moving it… I say, ‘Goose [referring to Sealy], something here ain’t right’.”

He continued: “I ain’t move nothing. I was just watching . . . and quick so a set of jeeps come upon we and say, ‘freeze!’ I say, ‘Jesus peace. I hey bareback, it’s not like I have on a shirt or nothing so . . . . That’s after you give me the suspended sentence to go to the funeral on Saturday and I get catch Sunday. You gave me a chance, Mr Weekes, and I mess it up.”

The sentences were then imposed and the chief magistrate informed Sealy that he was to return to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court after his sentence was completed in order to get an extension to pay $2 400 in compensation which is due in October.