Owner to be compensated $2 500; does not believe young convict should be jailed

The passage of time has not eased the pain of a horse owner whose animal was stolen and ill-treated.

“It hurt me,” complainant Daniel Drayton told Magistrate Manila Renee on Tuesday as she dealt with the case of Taquan Emmanuel Reid, of Wilkinson Road, Richmond Gap, St Michael.

Reid was 19 years old when he stole Drayton’s horse between December 28 and 29, 2016. He has since admitted to the crime before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.

Sergeant Kenmore Phillip told the court that Drayton put the horse to graze on a pasture at St Giles on the first date and returned to find that it had disappeared.

Reid came into police custody in connection with another matter, questioned about the crime and accepted responsibility.

Lawmen subsequently located the animal and it was returned to its owner.

But Drayton, who told the court of his passion and love for horses, said he had yet to get over what had happened.

“The time when they took the horse, it was in foal (pregnant) and they rolled the horse all bout the place. It had a lot of injuries. It hurt me. I have a lot of love and passion for horses. I love horses. She never catch since. It take me two years trying to get the horse to foal, as she catch they steal the horse. I still hurt up to now. I still hurt,” said an emotional Drayton who added, “All she hooves were crack up . . . she still alive but she won’t catch.”

The complainant also told the court that he was seeking $2 500 in compensation for his animal.

“It’s much more money than that, believe me big man . . . that’s my livelihood.

“They come from all in Goodland and take way my property.  This is the honest truth ma’am if I dey catch any of them with that horse that night only God knows. Only God knows because all she was doing is grazing . . .  They robbed me!” Drayton stated.

Reid issued an apology to the horse owner.

“I am very sorry for doing that. I would like to get your money,” the young man said.

Drayton said he was willing to take compensation but after the horse was found and he saw it, “I cried”.

He added: “I believe don’t care how bad someone do, they deserve a chance. I don’t believe he should be put in prison because I will still feel bad, because I have brothers too and they young.”

Magistrate Renee then imposed the sum on Reid which she ordered paid on or before April 30. Failure to honour the payment will see him spending three months in prison.

Reid was also placed on a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. That order will last for two years. If he finds himself in trouble with the law and is found guilty of any crime he will spend six months in jail.