The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A JAMAICAN man was yesterday convicted of receiving stolen property and sentenced to a year in prison before deportation.

Omar Brown, who appeared in court three before Magistrate Helen Jones, pleaded guilty to receiving a silver Tommy Hilfiger watch valued at $400 and two speakers valued at $60, which were reported stolen between October 13 and 24 last year.

Brown was not represented by counsel. He told Magistrate Jones that he did not break into the residence, but knew who did and had told the homeowner who had broken into the house.

Brown claimed that he was at the house doing some work and had called a man known to him only as “Reggie” for a ride. Later that day, he learned from the homeowner that someone had broken into the house.

“He asked if someone in a green jeep had picked me up, and I told him yes,” Brown said.

Brown told the court that he contacted “Reggie’ and asked if he had gone back to the house after picking him up. He said “Reggie’ denied it at first, but later admitted after pressuring him.

Brown then told the magistrate that the reason he was found in possession of the items was because the homeowner had asked him to get the items back.

Magistrate Jones told Brown that the charge of receiving is treated just as if he had broken into the home and stolen the items. She sentenced him to a year in prison, starting November 13, 2013. On completion of his sentence he will be deported to Jamaica.