Jamal Ahmal Skeete begged for forgiveness and pleaded for mercy after admitting to breaking into and stealing from two churches.
“I am not a troublemaker . . . I am a good boy who just made poor choices,” the 32-year-old who is recorded as having no fixed place of abode said on Thursday after pleading guilty to three counts of sacrilege before Madam Justice Pamela Beckles in the No. 5 Supreme Court.
He admitted to entering Mount Pisgah Spiritual Baptist Church, a divine place of worship, between February 1 and 2, 2018, with intent to commit theft.
Skeete, who is represented by attorney-at-law Sade Harris, also admitted to entering the Way Truth Ministries between February 6 and 7, 2018 and stealing four cartons of juice, a sugar canister, a malt, and $744.14 cash, with a total value of $776.44. He entered that place of worship again between February 8 and 9 and stole two packs of scrubbers, a box of garbage bags, two tins of powder, four bottles of window cleaner, three bottles of toilet cleaner, six cans of air freshener, a gallon of disinfectant and a pack of cloth wipes worth $72.75.
Addressing the court, Skeete said he had been introduced to cocaine and became heavily dependent on it after losing his job.
“What has brought me before this court is a grave and unfortunate mistake . . . a poor judgement call,” he said as he promised to do better if given the chance.
“My sincerest apology . . . . I plead for mercy in relation to the matter that is now before the court . . . .”
Principal State Counsel Krystal Delaney, in outlining the facts, said in all three instances authorities at the churches had secured the facilities but discovered the break-ins and items missing on their return.
When Skeete was taken into custody, he told police: “I don’t know why I went in there and move them things. I sorry and I ask for forgiveness.”
The prosecutor and defence agreed that Skeete should be assessed for the drug rehabilitation programme at Verdun House.
He returns to the court on February 23.
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