A man accused of stealing a cellular phone was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Charged with simple larceny is Beresford Hutchinson, who pleaded "guilty with information" to the offence.

The Crown led evidence that, on March 2 at approximately 1 p.m., the female complainant left her gray Samsung Galaxy S3 cellular phone, valued at $55,000, behind a display stand to charge at her State Mall, Half-Way Tree Road, St Andrew workplace.

It is reported that the accused was caught on camera taking the device from where it was set down by its owner.

Hutchinson told the court that he thought someone might have left the phone unattended, so he sought to protect it.

"It don't matter if somebody leaves it in there, it's not yours!" said Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, rejecting his claim.

The court heard that the accused man had a previous conviction for robbery, and three trials for similar offences.

"You are developing a pattern of dishonesty. I have to touch you today, and wake you up!" RM Pusey said.

Subsequently, the sitting magistrate sentenced the accused to 12 months' imprisonment. A fingerprint order was also made against him.