Thief begs to be sent to Mental Health Center, not jail

A man who was sentenced to time in prison for theft had a request to make of Chief Magistrate, Rechanne Browne when he stood before her on Monday, December 19.

“Your honour, send me mental home na…”,was his request made so as to avoid the custodial sentence imposed after he pleaded guilty to the charge of theft.

Keon Quammie of Enhams appeared in the Serious Offences Court charged that on December 16, at Kingstown he stole one pioneer deck valued at $100.00; one rear view mirror valued at $350.00; and one silver vehicle jack valued at $80.00 from motor vehicle P8217, the property of Fitzgerald Thomas.

Quammie is no stranger to the court when it comes to charges of theft and damage to property as he has a long rap sheet.

He also faces charges of similar nature in the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court where he appeared almost a week ago.

However, that was not enough to keep him out of trouble because during that same week after his court appearance before the Senior Magistrate, he found his self in trouble again with the law and pleaded guilty to his latest charge.

The facts as outlined are that on Friday, December 16 the virtual complaint parked his vehicle in front of Courts Ready Cash building located at Halifax Street, Kingstown. The complainant was not quite sure if he had locked his vehicle and about 30 minutes later retuned to make a check.

As the complainant approached the vehicle, he realized that his right front door was not closed properly. He found this to be suspicious and when he opened the door he realized that there were wires on the passenger seat.

He then observed that his pioneer deck and rear view mirror were missing. Thomas then secured his vehicle and made inquires around the area concerning the missing items from his vehicle.

While doing this, he was informed that Quammie was seen passing with the missing items from the vehicle.

On Saturday December 17, the complainant also reported that he made further checks and realized his vehicle’s jack was also missing.

When Quammie was given the opportunity to speak, he pleaded with the magistrate to allow him to pay compensation and even to send him to the Mental Health Centre as he did not want to face a prison term.

He also told the court that he thought the vehicle that he entered was that of a guy who had chopped him on his hand and he said “I am very wrong.”

The Chief Magistrate highlighted to the defendant that his actions were wrong and said “You have eight charges that are here and I know some are missing.”

In addition, she said Quammie by his own admission said “is damage ah damage the man thing anuh because I think is the man who chop me.”

The Chief Magistrate noted that his other charges are related to damage to property.

Browne handed down a custodial sentence of three months imprisonment.

After handing down the sentence, Quammie began crying loudly in court and his tone became aggressive which caused him to be immediately removed from the court room