BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AKEEM WHYTE, yesterday afternoon (Jun. 21) found himself appearing before the Basseterre High Court for a second time involving yet another building-breaking offence which comes just one day after getting a 12-month suspended sentence and order to receive professional counselling.
Presiding judge Justice Errol Thomas informed Whyte that he “cannot be released” from prison in light of this current issue, pointing out that during Thursday’s (Jun. 20) sentence the Court “was not aware” of that matter.
He disclosed that the matter will be addressed either Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Rhonda Nisbett-Browne had briefly highlighted facts of the case to Justice Thomas.
SKNVibes was informed that Whyte’s pending criminal matter involves building breaking and larceny as well as receiving, which were committed on February 3, 2012; a little over four months before his second offence.
Reportedly, the incident occurred at TechSperts Store on Liverpool Row, Basseterre and had involved his co-accused Ramona Phillip.
As gathered, the two accused are said to have stolen nine Blackberry cellular phones, eight Alcatel cellular phones, four Motorola cellular phones, one Xbox, two Samsung cameras, 16 Ipod Nanos and six flash drives, all to the value of EC$55,525.18.
Regarding the other charge, Whyte allegedly received a camera, a Samsung cellular phone and an Xbox.
On Thursday afternoon, the 21-year-old and his co-accused 25-year-old Deslia DeSouza both received the 12-month suspended sentence for possession of housebreaking implements and malicious damage which were committed at approximately 3:00 a.m. on June 22, 2012 in the vicinity of the Sands Complex in Newtown.
On the charge of possession of housebreaking implements, they were convicted and given a one-year sentence which was reduced by one third, making it eight months. And on the malicious damage charge, they were also convicted and given a six-month sentence which was reduced to four months, making the combined sentences one year.
The duo received the suspended sentence on condition that should either of them be arrested for any offense during the 12-month period, they would be brought back before the Court and be jailed for one year.
At that trial, Whyte told the Court that he had sincerely regretted his actions and had acknowledged “my wrongness”.
According to Whyte, during his time in prison he had taken up “honest and positive thinking and I intend to stay that way”.
Whyte asked for forgiveness and a chance to prove himself a changed person.
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