BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NOVEL BRAITHWAITE of Keys Village was today (Aug. 12) sentenced to a six-month jail term for stealing a quantity of multi-vitamins from SL Horsford’s Valu Mart on Wellington Road.
Braithwaite appeared at the Basseterre Magistrate’s Court this morning before Her Worship Simone Bullen-Thompson and was found guilty of stealing four packets of Mulitibionta, valued at EC$41.36 each.
According to the facts presented in court, at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2011, a security guard had observed when Braithwaite entered the supermarket, removed the multivitamins from a shelf, put them in his pocket and left the building without paying for the items.
The security guard apprehended him outside of the supermarket and summoned the Store Manager.
A search of Braithwaite’s person revealed possession of the items and the police were notified.
Consequently, Braithwaite and the stolen items were taken into custody at the Basseterre Police Station, where he was charged with larceny.
The 48-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge but was however found guilty and sentenced to six months imprisonment.
Before being led away to Her Majesty’s Prison, Braithwaite pleaded with the magistrate not to send him there, noting that he wanted to make a change in his lifestyle and that he had started attending church services.
The magistrate firmly told Braithwaite that he had to be jailed for the offence and, while imprisoned, the church members who normally visit the penal institution could pray for and offer him counselling in order for him to stop taking things that belong to other people.
It was also revealed in court that Braithwaite is a habitual offender with some 13 previous convictions for larceny.
In January 2008 on sister isle Nevis, he was sentenced to serve a two-year prison term by Magistrate Yasmine Clarke for stealing 10 pounds of saltfish from the Super Foods Supermarket.
