Michael George, a 42-year-old Arnos Vale man with several convictions for dishonesty, is wondering whether someone performed an act of witchcraft on him.
George chalked up yet another conviction at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Tuesday when he pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of red and black fashion slippers, valued US$25, from Nicholus Lucas, a resident of Villa, Fountain Road, on December 31.
Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett observed that George’s conviction record was dated as far back as 1998, and he found George to be in violation of a suspended sentence imposed in July, 2022.
On that occasion, George was sentenced to two months in prison but the sentence was suspended for six months.
“I want you to stop thief,” the Magistrate told George.
“Me too,” George responded.
“What is preventing you from living on the straight and narrow? What is preventing you from not stealing?” Burnett asked.
“I don’t know if somebody put me so,” George replied.
“I know that was coming,” the Magistrate said, and proceeded to let the accused know that “Your record dates back to 1998, and most of the offences are the same – burglary and theft.”
“I want help,” George replied.
“You pray?” the Magistrate asked.
“Yes, I does get through good,” George replied.
“If when you pray you does get through good, continue to pray. When you in prison pray every day,” the Magistrate advised.
George was ordered to pay compensation to Lucas in the sum of EC$67 by April 30, or one month in prison.
However, having breached the suspended sentence, George will have to serve a mandatory prison term of six months.
But Burnett imposed another 2-month sentence on George for the recent offence, but again suspended it for six months. Burnett said he was doing this to test George.
The facts revealed that George entered Lucas’ completely fenced yard at Villa, Fountain Road on December 31, and stole the slippers. Lucas had discovered the slippers missing while preparing to go to the beach on January 1, 2023.
When he checked the footage on his CC cameras, George was spotted on his premises about 8 a.m. on December 31. He reported the matter to the police and showed them the footage.
The police easily identified the defendant, who is well-known to them.
George, who was unrepresented, told the Court he entered Lucas’ premises because rain was coming, and he had a problem with his foot.