Homeless man gets chance to avoid prison

A homeless man has to stay out of trouble for the next year or face a three-month stint behind bars after pleading guilty to stealing from a warehouse in the City.

David Anthony Browne, 54, of no fixed place of abode, admitted entering Branker’s Warehouse and stealing four lamps, two packs of spoons, clothespins and a duffle bag belonging to Caribbean Sanari International Development, which trades as Big Tang, on December 20.

Prosecutor Sergeant Randolph Boyce told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that when the complainant arrived at the establishment around 8:20 a.m. on the mentioned date, Browne was caught inside with a black duffle bag. Police were called and searched the bag when they arrived and found the stolen items inside.

When asked to give an account, he told the police, “I get them from in there.”

Browne, who has 18 previous convictions, the last of which was in 2001, told the court that he picked up the goods from outside the property that had already been broken into.

“I was wrong, Sir. It has been over 25 years since I have been in trouble, and I ask for leniency,” he said before explaining that he was suffering from several medical ailments.

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes told the man that it was only because of the condition of his health and the length of time that had passed since his last conviction that he was giving him a suspended sentence.

“You must understand, however, that we cannot help ourselves to the property of others,” the magistrate added.