Car thief looks back on life of crime

The “quick money” that Ryan O’neal Wickham amassed during his criminal endeavours “did not last as long as a sno cone” which has resulted in him learning the error of his ways.

The 39-year-old, of Wellington Drive, Enterprise Coast Road, Christ Church made the comments during his sentencing submissions to Madam Justice Pamela Beckles today via a Zoom hearing.

Wickham had pleaded guilty to 12 counts of theft of motor vehicles before the High Court judge who presides over the No. 5 Supreme Court. One count included stealing the 2004 NZE model vehicle worth $9 500 belonging to Tamara Mayers on June 15, 2017.

He also admitted to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of going equipped.

The convict, who returns before Justice Beckles on July 30 for sentencing, said he could not “handle” becoming an old man in this prison.

“Prison is overrun by young people and I can’t be a young man and grow into an old man in this prison. I am going to be 40 next year. I started looking at my life . . . I can’t hide the fact that I was wrong and be right at the same time. I tried to make sure that everybody get back their belongings . . . even if I have to start calling names.

“I personally believe that it was a curse of me to take people things . . . . I begging to break this curse,” Wickham added.

He also explained that today’s youth believe that guns and drugs were the way to live. “But what is the sense of gaining the world and losing your soul,” he asked.

Wickham disclosed, “Why work day and night for something and can’t get any of it ten years down the line. Ma’am I don’t want to give you a starting point (starting term of time in prison). I leave that up to you but take into consideration the time I have already spent on remand.

“When you know you wrong you should pay . . . I already do too much damage. I believe I have learnt my lesson. I already plead guilty. I know what God I serving . . . because people are a great disappointment.

“And to get quick money and the quick money ain’t last as long as a sno cone.  The disappointment I have caused my family members, the shame I have caused to myself and my three nephews. Only today that I say I can try to hold my head above water,” Wickham said.

“I left everything up to you Madam Justice to give a starting point. I left everything up to you and the Holy Spirit. It was nice being here,” he concluded.

Moments before his speech Principal Crown Counsel Krystal Delaney who prosecuted his matters suggested a starting sentence of between eight to ten years.