Magistrate jails man for six years for theft at Magistrate’s Court

Despite a passionate plea in mitigation from defense lawyer Wayne Norde, on behalf of his client Richie Renee, Magistrate Michael Laudat imposed a six-year jail sentence on him for theft.

The maximum sentence for the offense is seven (7) years in jail. Renee was previously charged with burglary of two (2) 55-inch flat-screen TCL television and EC$575.00 between October 22 and 25, 2021 pleaded guilty to the charge of theft.

The facts of the matter are that the place was secured on October 21 and on arrival at work the office staff found the monies missing and the two television sets. Camera footage obtained from the area saw Renee entering the building and going out with the TV sets.

In his strong and passionate mitigating plea, Norde told the court that although his client aged (23) had a long list of convictions, he came from a troubled home, “a humble beginning, had a difficult life, and was remorseful for his actions.”

“His mother is in court lending support to him, she is the mother of eight children, we beg the court for a final, final chance for this 22-year-old, I know that he has been given several chances in the past, but we beg for this final chance,” Norde stated.

This final chance he told the court will give Renee “time to think about life as he is presently serving a jail sentence.”

“He has youth, he now needs this final chance to think and reflect,” he said. He asked the court to “consolidate” the sentences since Renee was on 18 month suspended sentence. But the magistrate interjected him stating that “it was impossible.”

“I am a creature of statute and can’t go outside the Magistrate’s Code of Procedure Act,” Magistrate Laudat remarked.

But Norde told the court that the televisions were recovered and a fine would be in order. “Give him a fine, use your discretion, but please don’t impose a custodial sentence, we are asking for another chance for him, not more prison, we beg the court to temper justice with mercy and if minded adjourn the matter to consider sentencing,” Norde said.

However, the Magistrate reminded him that the money was not recovered and that the magistrate’s court is a piece of machinery put in place by Parliament to dispense justice and that it was not in the public’s interest for someone to enter the Magistrate’s Court, when closed and steals equipment’s for the dispensation of justice.

“When someone does so, notwithstanding your age, you do so at the pain and perils of the court and you have to know that there are consequences,” he said.

For the guilty plea, he gave him a deduction of one year and slapped him with a six-year jail sentence. The 18 months suspended sentence was also activated and the sentences are to run consecutively.

Norde then told the court that he found the six (6) years “excessive” but the Magistrate reminded him that he could “appeal.”