Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James man, who stole seven tins of corned beef from a supermarket in Montego Bay, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Dwayne Perry, of a Bogue address in Montego Bay, had previously pleaded guilty to simple larceny when he appeared in court on Tuesday, September 24. He had admitted to stealing the corned beef from the Bay City Supermarket on August 5, the day he was arrested and taken into custody.

In handing down sentence to Perry, presiding magistrate Carolyn Tie outlined that the defendant's police record outlined he had three previous convictions for stealing, in addition to other unspecified convictions.

"This is not the first time the police arrested and charged you. You have had three other 'stealing' cases," RM Tie said disapprovingly.

"That's from when me was a little youth is a long time. I won't let it happen again," Perry promised.

"This is the sixth time police arrested and charged you for different things. Why is it you keep getting in trouble?" RM Tie demanded.

"I'm trying to do my best," said Perry.

"Based on your record, you need something to show you that you cannot continue this way. I am going to impose a sentence of three months' imprisonment," said RM Tie, before Perry was subsequently taken away.