In a case of neighborhood theft before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, 53-year-old labourer Patrick John of South Rivers has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment for stealing paint from his neighbor. The conviction came after John pleaded guilty to stealing two five-gallon buckets of paint valued at EC$900 (approximately US$330) between January 6-8, which belonged to his neighbor identified only as Daniel.
The incident unfolded when Daniel, 49, discovered the missing paint buckets from behind his residence on the morning of January 8 while responding to a visitor requesting a water hose. Following the discovery, Daniel promptly filed a report at the Colonarie Police Station.
Law enforcement officials subsequently visited Daniel’s property, where they collected an empty paint container and a pair of shoes as potential evidence. During their investigation, police approached John at his residence, at which point the defendant made a surprising admission: “Officer, a man ah Pasture been check me for some paint so me tek them and carry them give he Friday. Let me carry alyo fuh dem!”
Accompanied by police, John led authorities to the Pasture area of South Rivers where they located Aldon Chewitt. Chewitt subsequently surrendered two one-gallon buckets and three rum bottles containing the stolen paint. Following the recovery of the evidence, John was transported to the Colonarie Police Station where he was formally interviewed in the presence of witness 605 Mc Dowall.
Magistrate Kaywanna Jacobs, presiding over the case, noted John’s previous convictions for similar offenses and his most recent imprisonment in 2023. Delivering her verdict, the magistrate stated emphatically, “Nothing has changed,” and imposed the eight-month sentence. She further admonished the defendant, stating, “You had no reason to do that,” highlighting the lack of justification for the criminal act.