Machine costs man his freedom

Fifty-nine-year-old thief David Nathaniel Blackman will know his fate when he reappears before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court in 28 days.

Blackman, of no fixed place of abode, was remanded to Dodds this afternoon until May 24 after he pleaded guilty to stealing a $259.38 sanding machine belonging to Marshall Trading Limited on April 25.

Station Sergeant Cameron Gibbons said Blackman visited the Wildley store where he asked for a quotation on some items. When the agent went to get him the information he took the opportunity to remove the sanding machine and place it in a drawstring bag that he was carrying. As he attempted to leave the business he was stopped by two employees who took him to a kitchen area where he was searched and the item found.

The police was later called in and Blackman, who is known to the court, was arrested.

However, in his explanation to Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant Blackman claimed that one of the employees took the drawstring bag from his pockets and placed the item in it while he was in the kitchen after he had attempted to exit the establishment to “go and pass water”.