Convict gets his wish

When police arrested a 42-year-old man in connection with several criminal matters he stated that he wanted to get caught in order to go to prison.

Today, the accused Kevin Leondre Clarke appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court where he was convicted and sentenced to serve nine months each, on loitering and criminal damage charges. The sentences will run concurrently.

He was also convicted, reprimanded and discharged for breaching the island’s curfew.

Clarke, who is reported as having no fixed place of abode, is also facing the indictable charges of possession of a firearm and three rounds of ammunition on December 14. He was not required to enter pleas when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes.

He will reappear before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on January 14, 2022 in connection with the offences.

He however pleaded guilty to loitering on the premises of S.J. Bakery and Health with cause to suspect he was about to commit burglary and to breaching Paragraph 13 Subparagraph (1) of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) Curfew (No. 23) Directive by being outdoors at 2 a.m. when he was not an employee or member of an essential service or person with an emergency.

The offences were also committed on December 14.

With regards to the criminal damage charge Constable Ralph Rollock told the court that Wiseman was at home when he heard what sounded like glass breaking. When he made a check, he saw fragments of glass on the floor and Clarke standing with rocks in his hands. The perpetrator subsequently fled the scene.

On the loitering charge the prosecutor revealed that lawmen on duty at the Black Rock Police Station responded after receiving a report of suspicious activity at the bakery.

On arriving they observed Clarke with a piece of stick attempting to open the door. He attempted to flee but was apprehended. The prosecutor also revealed Clarke told police that he wanted to get caught so he could go to prison.

When asked by Chief Magistrate Weekes whether he had anything to say Clarke first responded: “No.” Moments later he stated: “ Would just like to apologize to the court and all parties involved.”