Burglar was ‘hooked on drugs’ when he committed crimes

confessed drug-addicted burglar from Spooners Hill is now on remand at Dodds awaiting his fate.

Fidel Martino Germaine Parris, 34, will make his next appearance before Magistrate Angela Knight on September 9. A pre-sentencing report has been ordered on the first-time offender in preparation for his sentencing. That report is expected before the court on November 4.

Parris pleaded guilty before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court to committing seven offences in less than a month but denied an eighth.

He admitted to breaking into Adams Rum Bar twice. On the first occasion — July 21— he stole 16 bottles of whiskey, six bottles of vodka and two bottles of brandy total value $2 196.34. Five days later, he burglarised the bar again, this time making off with two television boxes, a cellular phone, a television, nine bottles of rum, two bottles of brandy, two bottles of whiskey, seven bottles of wine, a bottle of tequila and $171 cash. The items and cash were worth $3 887.62.

On both occasions, the business was secured and the merchandise left intact. But, when the owner later returned the items were missing. The culprit was seen on CCTV committing the crime. None of the stolen property was recovered, according to Sergeant Verdon Forde.

Parris went on to burglarise the businesses Tyrol Cot, Fashion Outlet and The Real Escape Barbados between August 1 and 2.

From Tyrol Cot, he stole two laptops, a bottle of whiskey, a bottle of vodka and $3 500 cash belonging to Jason Bharath. Additionally, a laptop, a speaker, four walkie-talkies, a flashlight and $2 000 cash were taken from The Real Escape. After receiving reports that the businesses had been broken into, police executed a search warrant at Parris’ residence and found two of the laptops and a charger.

From boutique Fashion Outlet, Parris took 12 backpacks, nine pairs of shoes, 20 tee-shirts, six crossbody bags, nine watches, jewellery and $149 cash totalling $8 039.52. One of the stolen backpacks and jewellery were discovered at the thief’s house.

On August 7, Parris said he damaged an extractor fan belonging to Kori Yearwood. The prosecutor told the court that Yearwood was alerted that there was an intruder near his business and called the police. On arrival, officers apprehended the culprit dressed in all black and trying to flee. On inspection of the business, officers noticed that the extractor fan was damaged and asked Parris what he could say about it. It was damaged in trying to enter the building, Parris told the cops.

Parris admitted to resisting PC Edison Rock as he was brewing detained but denied assaulting PC Brian Best causing him actual harm.

“Ma’am I have a drug addiction, I would like some help,” Parris said when asked what he had to say. “I apologised to the owners of the places. I would never do that again. At that point in time I was out of it . . . that is why I did those things. I am very sorry.”

Parris, who had no previous convictions before Monday also told the court that he had been battling with drug addiction for over a year and a half and had been trying to secure work with no luck: “I trying to get a job for the longest time, every time i getting shoot down.”