A man who admitted stealing cash from three diners will appear in Magistrates’ Court next month for sentencing.

Jomar Caines, 46, pleaded guilty yesterday to the theft of $180 and unlawful begging.

The court heard that Camika Caisey, Paul Spring and Perry Thompson were eating outside at Port O Call restaurant on Front Street and had cash and a credit card on their table to pay for the meal.

Caines approached them and asked for money, but grabbed $180 in cash when they refused and ran eastward on to Parliament Street.

The patrons alerted police, who later arrested Caines on the corner of Parliament Street and Church Street.

The incident happened on New Year’s Eve.

Caines, from Pembroke, apologised for his actions and offered to refund the group.

He added: “I had a lot to drink that night. I don’t snatch money, I normally wash cars.”

Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe adjourned the case until February 16 and ordered a social inquiry report, a mental health assessment and a drug assessment for Caines.

He released Caines on $1,500 bail and ordered him to report to Hamilton Police Station once a week, adhere to a 7pm to 6am curfew and report to Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute when asked.

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