Evaluation ordered

Gregory MacDonald Hope pleaded guilty today to stealing items worth $24.18 from a supermarket. However, he showed no remorse and his mother told the court he had no problems.

But Acting Magistrate Anika Jackson had concerns about the 43-year-old of Wilton Road, Lammings Park, St. Joseph, and sent him to the Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation for 21 days. He will return to court on February 4.

Hope appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today charged with stealing three cans of condensed milk
valued $8.01; one bag of rice valued $3.10 and two packs of frozen hot dogs valued $12.98 from Jordan’s Supermarket on January 12, 2019.

According to prosecutor constable Kenmore Phillips, the unemployed man was seen by security the previous night at the supermarket with a black haversack perusing the shelves.

He returned the following night and was observed putting things in the haversack and as he started to make his exit by-passing the cashier, security apprehended him and the police were summoned.

The prosecutor also noted that Hope was placed on community service for a similar offence in 2004.

Hope admitted going to the supermarket on that date and seeing a “Kadisha” he had recently met. Among other things, he said he had a black plastic bag and not a haversack and “Kadisha” handed him a plastic bag and told him she was going to collect something else.

According to Hope, he also went back to get cornmeal, macaroni and another item and “Kadisha” returned with a bag and said the items were paid for and he said to himself that the items were not in a ‘Jordan’s’ bag.

Hope added that when he was approaching the exit he was stopped by security who asked him if he had any of the supermarket’s possessions and he told the security guard that he did not know the items were stolen and offered to pay for them and the management refused.

He told the court that concerning the 2004 matter, he went to Cave Shepherd and was trying on watches between 15 to 20 minutes and forgot that he still had one on his hand. It was when he started to leave the store with it that he was stopped by security.

Noting that he had community service for a similar offence 14 years ago, the magistrate said that would not be the sentenced on this occasion. Hope told her he had not worked for ten years because he could not get a job and was being supported by his mother. When called, his mother told the court that in addition to being “a seven days [Adventist]”, his behaviour was very good and he helped people in the neighbourhood.