The pleas of theft accused Frederick Alfred Haynes not to be sent to Dodds Prison and to be granted bail went unanswered in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court after his criminal record revealed he had committed several similar offences.
The 51-year-old unemployed man of Drayton Close, Enterprise, Christ Church, was charged with stealing two cans of spray, three cans of luncheon meat, one pack of chicken wings, one pack of chicken nuggets, and one box of hamburgers, with a total value of $110.25 belonging to ANSR Investments Limited, on April 9.
He was also charged with stealing two cans of corned beef and two cans of sausages, with a total value of $19.50, belonging to Lewis Drug Mart, as well as one pack of chicken sticks, one pack of chicken nuggets, two packs of chicken weiners and four deodorants, with a total value of $105.62, from Massy Stores. All the offences allegedly took place on April 18.
Haynes denied all the charges.
Objecting to bail, Sergeant Randolph Boyce pointed to Haynes’ antecedents, which showed 31 previous convictions – several of which are similar in nature –, along with the seriousness of the offences and the strength of the evidence.
“I am scared that if given bail, the accused will find himself committing crime again. The nature of the offences was there isn’t one, not two, but three offences of a similar kind on three different occasions. What makes it serious is that these are against businesses in this country, and business people have been complaining about the losses they are incurring through these kinds of incidents, where it affects their bottom line and their ability to pay their employees,” the prosecutor said, adding that there was also video evidence of the crimes.
The stolen items were also recovered.
“I understand the fact of innocent until proven guilty . . . . I have children, I have a fixed place of abode, and I do work and get an income. I would like not to be placed in prison at this point,” Haynes said, begging the court for mercy.
However, Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes remanded him to Dodds Prison until May 17.
