Career thief triggers suspended sentence after admitting to stealing liquor

Well-known thief Dale Andrew White, who said the 69 antecedents on his criminal record were “for petty things”, recorded another one after admitting to another theft and landed in prison for nine months.

The 48-year-old man who has no fixed place of abode pleaded guilty to stealing an assortment of liquor bottles, including vodka, gin and whiskey belonging to John Shepherd between September 6 and 7, 2023. The items had an estimated value of $630.

“I got to find another abandoned house to live. I tired of that house because the police does find me…. The police just arrest me for petty things and put me in jail; they does harass me,” he declared after entering his plea in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.

Police Constable Ralph Rollock told the court Shepherd had left the bottles on his patio following a family gathering but they were missing when he returned for them.

He made a check of his CCTV footage and saw White taking up his items and reported the matter.

The prosecutor informed the magistrate that White was well known to the court with 69 prior convictions and was recently given a six-month sentence, which was suspended for 12 months.

“I don’t do everything that bad. None of them [the convictions] for killing, none for robbery, it is just for petty things. I would thief but only if I hungry,” he told the court. 

“What you do with me, I am well pleased, Ma’am. Give me a little time in prison; I will be good. I promise you I will never thief again.”

The suspended sentence was triggered by White’s latest theft, which means that he has to spend six months at Dodds for the crime for which he was convicted last month.

After that, he will spend three more months in prison for the latest theft.