By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 34-year-old who admitted to stealing over $50 worth of items from a department store last week was granted an absolute discharge yesterday.
Lateisha Burrows appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after being accused of stealing an assortment of items valued at $51.10 from Kelly’s Home Centre on June 3.
Burrows, who pleaded guilty to the offence, told the court she had no previous convictions and worked at a local fast-food restaurant.
When asked by Magistrate McKinney if she had any children, the accused explained that she had seven children aged 17,16,15,14,11 and two eight-year-olds.
Magistrate McKinney also asked Burrows if the items had been returned, to which she replied “yes”.
When the matter was cross-checked by the prosecution, the court was told that the items were taken out of Burrows’ bags by the store’s security officers on the day in question.
Having taken this into consideration and the fact that Burrows was a mother-of-seven, Magistrate McKinney granted her an absolute discharge.
However, the judge told the accused that even though he took her situation into consideration, especially her status as a mother, it was still not an excuse for her actions.
The magistrate told Burrows no matter how desperate her situation may have been, she should have never resorted to stealing. He also noted that there are other places where she can go for help, pointing to the Department of Social Services and other related agencies.
“If you need anything for your child or children, ask your employer (for pay) in advance or try to seek some assistance from one of the social agencies,” Magistrate McKinney said.
Burrows was also warned that if she finds herself in legal problems again, she would be convicted.
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