Add 691 days to church thief’s collection

The theft of fans from the James Street Methodist Church even during worship has led Keith Fitzgerald Anderson Batson has been sentenced to time already served in prison.

Batson, 50, having no fixed place of abode but said to reside at Villa Road, Brittons Hill, had previously appeared before the No. 2 Supreme Court and pleaded guilty to stealing two fans from the church on November 3 and 7, 2018. The items were valued at $530.

Crown Counsel Joyann Catwell told the court that Batson, who is known to the court, was seen taking one of the fans from near the altar. He returned and stole a large heavy-duty fan during the evening service.

When his case was called Thursday, Justice Randall Worrell told Batson he had been sentenced to 691 days for the offences – time that he had previously spent on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds.

The High Court judge also advised Batson to keep his appointments with the Psychiatric Hospital.