The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 38-year-old man was sentenced to eight months in prison after claiming that being unemployed during the pandemic drove him to break into another man’s house and steal.

Police arrested John Bazile after he broke into Cecil Newbold’s residence and stole a 24-inch television, a microwave and an assortment of other personal items on November 27. The prosecution said the accused caused $380 worth of damage to Mr Newbold’s window and screen.

During his hearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes, Bazile pleaded guilty to housebreaking and stealing.

The court was told that when Mr Newbold arrived home around 10.30am on November 27, he noticed that one of the northern windows of his home had been damaged. When he went inside his residence, he discovered that several household items were missing. The court was told that neighbours then told Mr Newbold that the person who had broken into his home had just left. The complainant was able to detain Bazile and recover his stolen items a short time later. He then contacted police, who arrested the accused and took him to a nearby station.

In an interview there, Bazile admitted the offences.

Bazile told the magistrate that he only broke into the home because his wife was pregnant, he was unemployed and was making no money due to the pandemic. He insisted he was “really and truly” sorry for his actions.

Magistrate Forbes asked Bazile what would have happened if Mr Newbold had been at home when he broke into his residence. He also told him he was lucky that Mr Newbold had chosen to contact police when he detained him, instead of taking matters into his own hands.

As a result, he convicted Bazile of the offences and sentenced him to eight months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He also ordered the accused to compensate Mr Newbold $380 for his damaged window.