Convicted of stealing body wash man sent to police remand

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James man who admitted to stealing eight bottles of bath and body wash while he was high on cocaine was ordered to be remanded in police custody when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Donovan Rashford, a 48-year-old resident of John's Hall, pleaded guilty with explanation to simple larceny when he appeared before Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small. He is to return for sentencing on December 3.

The court was told that on November 10, Rashford attempted to steal eight 250mm bottles of bath and body wash from the Hi-Lo Supermarket at Fairview in Montego Bay. After being caught in the act, he was apprehended and handed over to the police.

COCAINE ADDICT

"What is your explanation, sir?" asked RM Wong-Small, responding to Rashford's guilty with explanation plea.

"I was having a problem," replied Rashford. "I am asking if you could give me a suspended sentence."

"What is the nature of your problem?" RM Wong-Small asked the penitent-looking Rashford.

"Crack cocaine, Your Honour," Rashford replied in a measured tone.

"How long have you been addicted to crack cocaine?" RM Wong-Small inquired of Rashford.

"On and off from 1992," Rashford said in reply.

When quizzed as to whether or not he has had any previous run-ins with the law, Rashford admitted that it was not his first offence as he has had two previous brushes with the law.

"What happened with those other charges?" Wong-Small asked the accused man.

"They sent me to Colombia and Peru (slang used for prison)," answered Rashford.

In ordering that Rashford be remanded in police custody, the judge ordered that a social enquiry report be done on him. According to her, she plans to use the report in determining Rashford's sentence.