
A 50-year-old farmer from Diego Martin has been sentenced to four years in prison for breaking into a shop.
Gary Lewis, of Mercer Road, Diego Martin, received the sentence from Magistrate Nizam Khan after he pleaded guilty to store breaking and larceny in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Lewis, who represented himself, pleaded with Khan to fine him. However, Khan agreed with police prosecutor Sgt Karene Boxhill that a custodial sentence was more appropriate in the case, as Lewis had 20 previous convictions for similar offences.
In passing the sentence, Khan said the offence was far too prevalent and affected the ability of businesses and individuals to operate freely.
“This type of larceny has become a scourge in our society and has negatively affected our economy,” Khan said.
As part of his ruling, Khan ordered that PC Keston James, the police officer who caught Lewis red-handed, receive a $500 reward from the T&T Police Service (TTPS).
Reporter: Sascha Wilson