Goodland man ‘to get help’ for drug habit – in prison

Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds will be home for Damien Shimar Griffith for the next two years, during which he is to undergo treatment for his addiction to cocaine.

Magistrate Manila Renee made the orders as she ruled on two cases in which the 30-year-old from Lewis Gap, Goodland, St Michael had pleaded guilty.

Griffith admitted entering Boom’s Pool Bar between June 10 and 11 and stealing 16 bottles of assorted liquor, nine boxes of cigarettes, a box of sweet biscuits and $85 cash – all belonging to Andrea Alleyne. He also burglarized the home of Peter Thorpe, making off with a television and a digital media player.

Alleyne had secured the bar and left it intact but according to police prosecutor Constable Paul Prescod, she was informed the following day that her establishment had been broken into. The necessary checks were made and it was discovered that a wire mesh on one of the windows had been pried open. Police were called in to investigate.

Griffith was taken into custody and admitted to the offence. The only item that was recovered was an empty rum bottle.

In Thorpe’s case, he secured his house around 8 a.m. and ventured off to the market. An hour and 15 minutes later he was riding his bicycle making his way back home via the Westbury Cemetery when he came across Griffith carrying a black television set. He ignored the man and continued on his way.

But when Thorpe arrived home he discovered that his TV and the media player were missing and reported the matter to the police.

Explaining his actions to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, Griffith said: “The Thorpe issue, I personally took the TV back to Thorpe.”

He further told Magistrate Renee that he had a problem with substance abuse.

He said: “My mother told me that I need help. I does smoke cocaine and I really need to stop. I don’t want to really be living on the streets anymore. If I can get help from the court. I have two children and I can’t see them because of the drug habit that I have, I would really like to straighten up. I apologized to Peter Thorpe and I assisted the police with the other issue.”

Griffith, who is known to the court for committing similar offences added: “I can guarantee this won’t happen again if I get the help.”

Magistrate Renee sentenced him to two years in prison on each count to run concurrently.

“You are to get the assistance you need for your drug habit while at HMP Dodds,” she told him.