A Spanish Town businessman and wholesale owner charged with receiving stolen goods, appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer to the charges.

Wu Taw, who is of Chinese descent, pleaded guilty to receiving 35 cases of stolen Blanca Soap Powder to stock his wholesale early last year.

Taw's attorney asked the RM to show leniency on his client as it was his first offence. His attorney also told the court that on the day in question, Taw had purchased the cases of soap powder under the impression that they had been legitimately obtained.

The attorney further explained to the court that Taw had also asked for a receipt after the purchase had been completed, however, after the goods were in Taw's possession, the person who sold him the cases of soap, fled abruptly.

Taw was fined $300,000 or will spend six months in prison. He was given two weeks to pay with surety.