Long Bush man Davante Maduro was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment on Friday for theft, despite letters of support from two government ministers and a former legislator urging Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards to impose a non-custodial sentence.
Mr. Maduro, who runs a burger stand in Long Bush, is accused of stealing more than 50 bottles of liquor over a six-day span from the Riteway grocery store in Pasea.
According to allegations read in court, he sneaked out about a dozen bottles at a time in cardboard boxes.
Ms. Richards said Riteway employees noticed a dearth of liquor while doing inventory. They subsequently looked on CCTV footage and saw the defendant stealing the bottles, she said.
Police arrested Mr. Maduro on Nov. 5. When they did, he allegedly told them, “Officers, I will do anything to feed my family.”
The defendant reportedly explained that his burger business wasn’t doing well, so he decided to sell the stolen liquor for $20 a bottle to make up for his losses.
Ms. Richards read three letters testifying to Mr. Maduro’s good character before passing her sentence, from Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool; Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn; and former Fourth District Representative Dr. Vincent Scatliffe.
See the March 12, 2015 edition for full coverage.