A 41-year-old Wismar, Linden man was on Tuesday jailed for 12 months by Magistrate Clive Nurse for the offence of breaking and entering and larceny.
John Broomes, of Lot 130 Wisroc Housing Scheme, appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court where the sentence was handed down. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that between October 1 and 2, 2015, he broke and entered the home of Devon Green situated at Phase 1B Wisroc and stole a gas bottle valued $10,000. When the case was called again on Tuesday, Magistrate Nurse indicated that the court was satisfied with the evidence and a prima facie case was made out against the defendant. Broomes then chose to stand in the docks where he gave an unsworn statement, noting that since 2014 he was not involved in any such wrongdoings.
However, prior to handing down the sentence, Magistrate Nurse noted that fingerprints found at the scene matched those of the defendant. The prosecution further indicated that the stolen item had not been recovered. Further, Broomes was charged with robbery and breaking and entering offences in 2015 and 2016, to all of which he had pleaded not guilty. The charges alleged that on October 18, 2015, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Nevlyn Benjamin of his Samsung cellular phone valued $40,000 and a gold ring valued $70,000. The incident took place at Plantation Fair’s Rust, Mackenzie, Linden.
Additionally, another break and enter and larceny charge against the defendant was dismissed by Magistrate Nurse whereby it was alleged that he broke into the home of Shonda McGregor at Phase 1B Wisroc and stole a gas stove valued $35,000, a gas bottle valued $15,000, a microwave valued $12,000, a blender valued $7500, a tea cup set valued $25,000, tea cups valued $2000, a tape player valued $10,000, a breaker electrical panel valued $11,000, electronic wire valued $35,000, a stand fan valued $5000 and groceries worth $2000.
Broomes was previously granted bail in the total sum of $150,000 for the offences when he had appeared before Magistrate Nurse, but was unable to post the sum. As a result, he spent six months behind bars. This time was deducted from the initial 18 months sentence he was expected to receive for the offence of which he was found guilty.
