Suspended sentence for confessed thief

Cocaine user Jamal Amal Skeete told a Bridgetown Magistrate today that every one who uses the substance is “not addicted” to it.

“I am not addicted to cocaine. I don’t use it every day,” he declared.

The 32-year-old, of no fixed place of abode, made the comment as he put forward arguments for a lenient sentence after pleading guilty to entering the Ursuline Convent School as a trespasser and stealing a lock, an umbrella, a pair of gloves and a pruner belonging to Francois John-Baptiste.

Prosecutor Paul Prescod told Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes that the complainant secured the premises of the private school on December 5 and when he returned on December 7 found the door to the storeroom damaged and the property missing.

Skeete, who is known to the law courts, was developed as a suspect and arrested on December 22.

“It was not intentional, definitely not intentional for me to steal. It just happened,” the convicted man explained adding, “If it possible for compensation. I do wash cars.”

Asked by Weekes whether he uses narcotics Skeete explained that he used cocaine before but was now off of it. He however admitted that the last time he
used the drug was “last Tuesday or Wednesday”.

“It is not something that I use every day. Not everyone that uses cocaine is addicted to it.”

Skeete was sentenced to nine months in prison but it was suspended for 18 months.

“You need to clean up your act. Walk into psychi [Psychiatric Hospital] today, enter the outpatient clinic and get some help,” the Chief Magistrate advised Skeete.