The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-year-old was fined $1,000 yesterday after he admitted to stealing a woman’s car.

Geonourdo Phillippe, represented by attorney Milton Cox, faced Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on charges of stealing and receiving.

On March 3 in New Providence, it is said that Phillippe was found with Donna Culmer’s stolen grey 2009 Honda CR-V which was taken from her residence and valued at $8,500. When the accused was apprehended by authorities in a park on Sunlight Village off East Street, Phillippe claimed that he was just watching the vehicle for a friend who had initially stole it.

In court, after the accused elected to continue his case before the magistrate, he pleaded guilty to the stealing charge. This resulted in the receiving charge being withdrawn.

When asked why he got involved in this crime, the teenager said he was peer pressured into it.

During his plea of mitigation, Mr Cox said that his young, gainfully employed client showed contrition for his actions and spared the court’s time with his early plea of guilt. The attorney asked for leniency for his client.

In view of this Magistrate Swain imposed a $1,000 fine on the accused. Failure to pay would result in a six-month prison sentence. In addition to stating that the conviction is to be recorded, the magistrate further ordered that the accused compensate the complainant $500 for damage done to her vehicle while it was stolen.

Before Magistrate Swain informed Phillippe of his right to appeal her sentencing within seven days, she also told him that she had spared him a two-year prison sentence which she had earlier considered.