50-year-old man jailed for theft of oranges and tangerines at State House

Johnson Romain of Newtown was not able to come up with a $1,500.00 forthwith fine imposed by Magistrate Michael Laudat after he pleaded guilty to stealing agricultural produce at the State House in the early hours of September 10, 2022.

According to the facts of the matter, at about 1:20 am police on the compound on the State House were doing normal patrol when they heard a noise on the Eastern side of the ground. Upon investigations found Romain was picking tangerines in the State yard. Questioned what he was doing on the compound he replied, “Officer I don’t have anything to eat spare me please.”

In his possession, he had a bag and in it 28 oranges and 11 tangerines all to the total value of $55.00. He further told the police, that he was just trying to make money to feed his family.

He was also charged with vagrancy to which he also pleaded guilty.

Mitigation

He told the court that it was never his intention to do that. “I know for myself I should not do that, but, that night, I was under the influence of alcohol. I was already in my bed, I am 50 years and the first time I am in that situation, I have three kids, I can do fishing and farming,” he said.

He continued, “I know that I don’t have to steal people’s things to survive, that night I got carried away I have my garden at Giraudel, I feel sorry for my children because I know along the way they need me.”

“I am begging for your leniency…I am a hard-working man, I know the situation is not nice, I am embarrassed, please, please consider me,” he pleaded.

Sentencing

In sentencing, he was told by the Magistrate that he must respect authority and that the gates and fence at the State House are not for him to jump. The offense of theft of agricultural produce carries and fine of $2,000.00 and six months in jail. He was fined $1,500.00 to be paid forthwith in default six months in jail. That fine was not paid.

On the charge of vagrancy which carries a three-month jail sentence, he was given the maximum sentence.

“Stay away from people’s things, the time in jail will help you “detox” stay away from alcohol,” he was told.