A lesson was learnt in the Corporate Area Resident Magi-strate's Court yesterday by an unemployed man who vowed never to pick mangoes again without permission.

Junior Powell, 21, from Pembroke Hall, St Andrew, was fined $5,000 or six months on two counts of unlawful possession of property.

Powell was reportedly found in possession of 160 mangoes on one day and nine Julie mangoes on another day which he obtained without permission.

In his defence, Powell told the court that he was unaware that he was doing an unlawful act when he picked the fruits from a tree which had branches that hung over on a public property.

He explained that the public space was located beside the yard where the mango tree was, and so he picked mangoes from the branches which leaned outside the property.

However, Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey explained to him that notwithstanding branches of the tree hanging over to another property, the fruits were still the property of the owner where the tree was planted.

"I didn't think I was stealing the mangoes," Powell told the court in a contrite voice.

Furthermore, he explained that he had spent 10 days in jail already for one of the offences.

The court heard that Powell was held by the police on December 19 and given bail, then on December 23, he was held again by the lawmen with mangoes unlawfully obtained.

"I will still eat mangoes your Honour, but I won't pick anymore," Powell remarked, which amused the court.