Jamaican admits to theft

A Jamaican man who snatched a handbag from a woman’s motor car says he committed the offence because he was in “a bit of a spot” with his rent.

Garvin Lenoy Seaton, who resides at Bristol Road, Cave Hill, St Michael pleaded guilty to the charge before Magistrate Kim Butcher on Friday but denied another theft charge and could not enter pleas to eight other indictable fraud charges.

The 31-year-old labourer stole the handbag on May 26. It contained $200 cash and a driver’s licence. The items including the cash totaled $340 and belonged to Abiola Blackett.

The property was in the backseat of the vehicle that Blackett was driving. As she was assisting her mother out of the vehicle she looked up and noticed Seaton in close proximity. He then snatched the bag and ran off. The handbag and licence were recovered.

Seaton, who has been in Barbados since June last year, and whose immigration status is not regularized, told Magistrate Butcher, “I am not that kind of person.”

“I was in a situation with my rent. I was in a spot there. I am sorry that the complainant is not there so I can clear my conscience.”

Seaton further stated that he had plans to “throw the bag” back into Blackett’s yard and “write a note”.

“I was in a spot. I am sorry,” he told the court.

He was remanded pending sentencing on the matter as a pre-sentencing report has been requested.

Seaton however pleaded not guilty to stealing nine cheques belonging to Trevaughn Alkins between January 1 and February 7 and worth $8.10 .

He also could not plead to the fraud charges among them that he, between January 1 and February 6 with intent to defraud, forged a RBC Royal Bank of Canada cheque made payable to Tyrone Coultas for $950 and drawn on the account of Design and Precision Builders.

It is alleged that on a date unknown between January 1 and February 6 with intent to defraud he did put off to Sawh Westbury Enterprises a forged cheque purporting to be from Royal Bank  for $950; as well as for $1 000 between January 1 and February 7 and for $750 during that same period.

He is also alleged to have endeavoured to obtain from Sawh Westbury Enterprises $1 000 and $750 via a forged RBC cheque made payable to Tyrone Coultas and drawn on the account of Design and Precision Builders.

Station Sergeant Randolph Boyce objected to bail for Seaton on the grounds that he has no ties to Barbados and the prosecution feared he would fail to surrender to court on the dates set.

“We believe he is a flight risk and as such may try to abscond. These are serious offences which have a great impact on the business community of this country and by extension those employed there. We believe that this community which has complained time and time again of being faced with these types of offences should be protected,” the prosecutor submitted.

In his application for bail Seaton said, “Miss, I am a working man. I got my children home (Jamaica) and my mother that I take care of. I can report seven days a week. I have no problem with you putting me under house arrest. My mother is sick and I am the one who maintains she.”

The accused’s bail application was denied and he was remanded to Dodds Prison until July 8.