Thief admits to stealing purse

A 57-year-old mother of five must be on her best behaviour for the next nine months if she wants to avoid spending three months in prison.

Magistrate Douglas Frederick imposed the bond on Janice St Clair, of Princess Royal Avenue, Pine, St Michael today after she spent the past five nights on remand at HMP dodds.

She had pleaded guilty in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court last Friday to stealing a Land purse worth $95.99 belonging to Cave Shepherd and Company Limited on April 12.

Today she urged the magistrate not to send her back to prison for her crime.

“I got a job. I buy house and land . . . . I have five children . . . . if you take away my job I will not be able to pay for the land . . . don’t send me back because of my children,” St Clair explained.

Asked her reasons for stealing such an item when she was gainfully employed and had such responsibilities, St Clair told the magistrate: “At the moment you don’t be thinking about them things you does be thinking of what you want in life. . . . I have not eaten since I went up there.”

On imposing the bond Frederick warned the accused that she was jeopardizing her future by engaging in such activities.

“Hope you recognise where you are going if you continue on this path,” Frederick stated.