Man who had five year break from stealing sentenced for theft of tomatoes

A Georgetown man who has had a history of stealing agricultural produce was given a suspended custodial sentence, and was ordered to compensate his neighbour for stealing his tomatoes.

Keith Labbon appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Friday, April 12, 2024 before Senior Magistrate, Tammika Mckenzie where he pleaded guilty that on March 8, 2024 in Georgetown, he stole a quantity of tomatoes valued $30, the property of Enville Cato of Georgetown.

The facts read that Cato is a farmer who cultivates a piece of land he owns.

On the date in question, Cato had tomatoes growing on his land and some were ready to be harvested. At about 7:30 a.m, Cato went to his land then left for an hour. Upon his return, he met Labbon on his land picking his tomatoes and placing them in his t-shirt.

Cato reported the matter to the police and Labbon was located on April 11. Labbon was informed of the offence, and the matter was further investigated. Labbon was cautioned in the presence of another police officer after which, he made a statement to the police. Labbon was later charged for the offence of theft.

After the facts were read, Labbon told the court that he is Cato’s neighbour and that they both pass by each other’s homes. Labbon said that he did not know that Cato reported the matter to the police until some officers arrested him for the offence.

“I would ah go to him and talk to him and tell him I go pay him for them…because me and he grow up and go to the same church,” Labbon told the Senior Magistrate, adding that he is willing to compensate Cato for the tomatoes as soon as possible.

Senior Magistrate Mckenzie who pointed out that Labbon had not committed an offence of this nature since 2019, commended him for changing his ways.

“When me mother pass away, me start behaving meself…,” Labbon told Mckenzie.

“Given his antecedents, he has quite a number of matters for similar offences. He seems to have been specialising in stealing; and he seems to love farm produce, so he has dasheen, oranges…coconut…corn…,” Mckenzie told Prosecutor Corlene Samuel after asking for submissions on a suitable sentence for Labbon.

Samuel said she is not looking for a custodial sentence to be imposed on Labbon considering that he has not commit a criminal offence since 2019. Instead, Samuel asked for a bond to be imposed on him in order “to keep Mr Labbon in check.”

Senior Magistrate Mckenzie ordered Labbon to compensate Cato in the sum of $30 for the stolen tomatoes by April 19, 2024, the default is three weeks in prison. She also sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for one year.

Mckenzie said that she “stepped it up” from a bond to a suspended sentence because she believes that Labbon has had too many chances to be placed on a bond.