BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ALTHOUGH he managed to escape a prison sentence, Valentine Graham is expected to abide by a plethora of rules as punishment for his follies.
The young man admitted to stealing 13 cheese sandwiches, a kitchen towel, a bag of crackers and cheese from the Joseph N. France General Hospital kitchen. The incident took place on February 17, 2009 with Graham being caught in the act by law-enforcement officers who were patrolling the area.
Graham told the police he was hungry and thought that the hospital was the only place he could go to get a bite to eat. A further explanation heard at the Basseterre High Court of Justice was that Graham at the time of the incident was heavily intoxicated, which he claimed he did to help him through a trying period in his life.
Seemingly repentant of his ways and in want of psychological assistance, Graham entreated the court to lend a helping hand in this regard.
His Lordship Justice Francis Belle yesterday afternoon (Feb. 11) made a decision to adopt recommendations that formed part of Graham’s Social Inquiry Report.
The 38-year-old was placed on a three-year probationary period in the sum of $3000 with one surety and is to undergo clinical counseling to the satisfaction of the Probation Department and the Counseling Unit.
Further, he is to perform 240 hours of supervised community service at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, is to seek and maintain gainful employment and is to observe a 9pm-6am curfew at his sister’s Carifesta Village residence. His Lordship indicated, however, that an exception to the curfew would be made if his job requires that he be out during that period.
Graham was also ordered to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He is not to be seen in the company of undesirables, is to abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol and is to report to his probation officer at least once per week.
Should he be in breach of any of the court-imposed conditions, he would have to pay a $3500 fine or serve six months imprisonment.
