Cox blames drug cravings for burglary spree

A man who admitted to a string of burglaries earlier this month told the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that his actions were fuelled by drug cravings.

“When I have my cravings, I does need cash,” said 35-year-old Jermain Hartley Cox, who is recorded as having no fixed place of abode.

He pleaded guilty to entering the Sea Food Shack restaurant on July 11 as a trespasser and stealing a $300 tablet, two cash pans worth $1 785, a $75 sack of potatoes, and BDS$735 and US$375 in cash — all belonging to Sheena Lambert.

Cox also also admitted to breaking into the Hastings Rock Beach Facility between July 15 and 16 and stealing five shirts valued at $250, a $35 hat, a $70 sweater, a $75 pair of shoes, two chargers worth $35, $30 belonging to Mavis Rice, and a $1 500 weed whacker belonging to the Government of Barbados.

In a third burglary, committed between July 17 and 18, Cox entered the Backyard Restaurant as a trespasser and stole five bottles of rum worth $80, a $90 bottle of whiskey, 24 bottles of vodka valued at $95, 12 beers valued at $60, a $190 tablet, a $450 drill, an $80 hammer, a $100 saw, and a $50 speaker belonging to Fitzroy Needham.

He also admitted that on July 18, he had a flick knife, an offensive weapon, along Bay Street without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

“I just really want to kick my habit,” Cox, who had 15 previous convictions, told Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes.

He also admitted that he had previously been placed in a drug treatment facility by the court but had failed to complete the programme.

Sentencing Cox to nine months in prison on each charge, Magistrate Weekes told him: “I was trying to work with you, but there is nothing more I can do for you.”

His sentences will run concurrently.