By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A HOMELESS man whose house recently burned down was convicted of stealing on Tuesday and ordered by a Freeport magistrate to compensate the business for the stolen items.
Rufus Thompson, 30, pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing before Magistrate Debbye Ferguson in Court One.
He admitted to stealing several pairs of gloves valued at $31.92 from the Park ‘N’ Shop Department Store in downtown, Freeport, on January 8.
The prosecutor told the court that the accused had stolen four pairs of gloves and was caught by a security officer at the store.
He was arrested by police and cautioned. The prosecutor said Thompson admitted to police that he stole the items from the shop.
During his arraignment, Thompson, who had a severe burn injury to the back of his head, apologised for stealing the items.
“I am sorry for what I had done, but my house (in Pinder’s Point) had recently burned down. I had to sleep at the bus stop.
“When I woke up, I was cold so I walked to Park ‘N’ Shop to get warm up and I was trying to get one pair of gloves. I am sorry and I am asking you to have mercy on me,” he said.
Magistrate Ferguson ordered Thompson to compensate the store by 1.15pm on Tuesday and he would not have to his serve four months in prison.
Thompson was put on one year probation. If he breaches this, he will have to serve six consecutive months in prison.
Magistrate Ferguson adjourned the matter to January 13, 2016, for review.
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