By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Court Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was sentenced to one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services yesterday for shop-breaking.
Earl Campbell, 58, stood before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on a charge of shop breaking.
Campbell admitted breaking into Go Go’s Deli on Alexander Street on June 10 with intent to steal.
A review of his criminal record revealed that Campbell had 58 similar cases with the court that go back as far as 1978. Overall he has previously served four years in custody.
This resulted in the magistrate calling the accused a “perpetual” housebreaker and thief and that his criminal actions make him a “plague” to society.
In view of this, Magistrate Vogt-Evans sentenced the accused to one year in custody.
Upon hearing his sentence, Campbell begged the court to ensure that they don’t cut his hair in prison as he identifies as a Rastafarian and Seventh-Day Adventist. He also explained to the court that in addition to not being able to get work as a chef or tailor due to his extensive criminal record, he also suffers from a drug problem.
While the magistrate still admonished him for his criminal behaviour, she obliged his requests for help. As such she officially recorded that Campbell should not have his hair cut in prison and also he should be allowed to enrol in drug counselling while in custody.
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