Woman fined for stealing hams from supermarket

A St Michael woman has been fined after admitting to stealing multiple hams from a supermarket.

At first, Michelle Rosita Gill, 52, offered no defence to stealing the hams. The general worker of Wellington Street, Nelson Street, St Michael, later apologised and called the offence “a mistake” before being fined $1 000 for stealing three hams valued at $368.45 from Massy Supermarket on Saturday.

The No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court heard that the manager of the establishment was informed by security that a female wearing a green dress had entered the store, taken three hams from the freezer and placed them in a canvas bag. She was stopped while leaving the store and the hams were found after the bag was searched.

Asked if she had anything to say, Gill, who has previous convictions, the last of which was in 2016, shook her head and said “no”.

“This is a little bold to be attempting to carry away three hams,” said acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick.

“My last matter was in 2016 and I didn’t get into any more trouble after that. Sir, I make my mistake and I sorry,” she said.

“You are going to have to spend more money in a fine now than if you had just bought the hams. Do not let this happen again,” the magistrate said, ordering her to pay the $1 000 in three weeks.

Failing this, she will have to spend one month at Dodds Prison.