SHELDON WILLIAMS, STAFF Reporter

A man who was found hiding in a kitchen cupboard in an attempt to avoid capture by the police after he broke into a house to steal grocery items valued at $40,000 was sentenced to nine months in prison on Tuesday.

Desmond McLeggan, 51, from 14 Miles, Bull Bay, St Andrew, was convicted on a charge of housebreaking and larceny in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

According to police reports, on January 18 about 3 p.m., lawmen responded to a call from police control that a trespasser was seen on a premises on Lords Road in the New Kingston area.

When the cops arrived at the location, the accused was reportedly found hiding inside the lower kitchen cupboard and was discovered to have taken items from the property which were put in plastic bags.

Furthermore, the police say the front grille to the premises was bent allowing the defendant to gain entry causing a second grille to be damaged in the process.

When he was cautioned by the police he reportedly replied, "Officer, a mango mi go over deh go pick."