Thief jailed

Foster to spend six months at Dodds for theft

Dwayne Irwin Foster, who pulled a knife at beachgoers after he was caught red-handed while stealing from a woman’s bag, has been jailed for six months.

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes imposed the sentence on the Block 99D Eden Lodge, St Michael resident on Tuesday, after he pleaded guilty to stealing $20 belonging to Adeena Deyoung on Monday.

Deyoung had gone to Brandons Beach on that day and left her property on the sand when she went into the water. While taking a dip, other beachgoers alerted her that a man was searching through her bag.

Station Sergeant Crishna Williams said Deyoung came out of the water and saw Foster with her bag. When he saw her, he dropped the bag but was observed pushing the money into his pocket.

When Foster was challenged by beachgoers, he pulled a knife, hopped on his bicycle and rode away as they gave chase. However, he escaped. A police vehicle which was passing at the time stopped and officers were told what had happened. They then pursued Foster and subsequently apprehended him.

Foster was searched and the money was found. The prosecutor, who told the court that the thief had previous convictions, also applied for a restitution order for the money to be returned to Deyoung, which was granted.

“Sir, I need some help. I meet some wrong people and I was smoking and I needed the money,” Foster told Weekes, further admitting that he was using cocaine and had pulled a knife on people at the beach.

“I really catch myself this morning. I on cocaine,” he added.

The chief magistrate told him that he would get help while at Dodds.

He then sentenced Foster to six months in prison with drug counselling.