Student pleads guilty to stealing
stealing more than $1,400 in cash and valuables last month.
Wolde Yohhaness Gilbert was arrested on September 9 for breaking into the Pembroke home of David Whitecross and stealing $1,002.31 in cash and coins, a Citizen watch, a gold bracelet and a personal bank cheque.
The total value of Whitecross' loss was $1,402.41. The theft took place on September 7.
The court heard that Whitecross returned home at 5.30 p.m. on September 7 to discover that his bedroom had been searched and a drawer opened. When he discovered the items in question missing, he notified Police, who arrested Gilbert two days later.
According to Police, the youth quickly confessed, saying he entered Whitecross' house through a "closed but unlocked'' kitchen door.
He said he threw the jewellery into some trees, kept the coins under his bed and spent some of the money on food. The watch, gold bracelet and some of the cash have since been recovered.
Before making a judgment, Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis ordered a social inquiry report on Gilbert. He will pass his sentence on November 23.
Gilbert was released on $700 bail.
PORTUGUESE MANS NEEDS INTERPRETER CTS Portuguese man needs interpreter Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis adjourned the arraignment of an alleged drunk driver for a week yesterday so a Portuguese-speaking interpreter could be obtained.
Jose Manuel Santos, 34, was charged on September 25 with driving while impaired and driving without due care or attention. He allegedly committed the infractions on South Road in Paget.
Santos, who speaks little English, pleaded not guilty to the first charge but had difficulty understanding the second.
Mr. Francis postponed his arraignment until October 19 so a translator could be called in to explain the charge to him.
BANNED FOR A YEAR FOR DRUNK DRIVING CTS Banned for a year for drunk driving Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis fined a 20-year-old St. George's resident $350 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months yesterday after the man pleaded guilty to riding an auxiliary cycle while impaired.
Prosecutor Insp. Peter Duffy told court that Robert Alberto Pitcher was pulled over by Police as he rode down Court Street on September 16. He said officers noticed Pitcher had problems maintaining his balance and was swerving from side to side.
After stopping him, Insp. Duffy continued, the officers observed that Pitcher's breath smelled of intoxicants, his speech was slurred and his eyes glazed.
Pitcher admitted to having had three beers before getting on his bike.
FINED FOR DRIVING WHILE DISQUALIFIED CTS Fined for driving while disqualified A 40-year-old man was fined $350 in Magistrates' Court yesterday for driving a vehicle while disqualified.
Tory Charles Basden was stopped by Police as he travelled down St. David's Road on the night of October 3. He had previously been prohibited from driving until March 1, 1996.
In fining Basden, Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said: "There's no point in adding any more disqualification, but if you drive while disqualified again the sentence will have to be imprisonment.'' NOT GUILTY PLEA TO DRUGS CHARGES CTS Not guilty plea to drugs charges A 28-year-old man pleaded not guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday to cultivating cannabis, possessing cannabis and intentionally obstructing a Police officer while he was carrying out his duties under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Sean Reginald Tucker, of Smith's Parish, was charged with the three crimes on July 18. He has since been released on $500 bail.
Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis set a trial date of February 3, 1995.