Chief Magistrate Expresses Concern Over Increase in Elderly Shoplifting Cases: A Closer Look at Recent Incidents

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes has expressed concern about the number of older people appearing before the court for shoplifting.

The concern came as he dealt with two cases before him.

In the first case, Dorin Kerna Clarke, 62, of Whitehall Tenantry Road, St Michael pleaded guilty to stealing items, mostly foodstuff, from Massy Supermarket, Warrens on Monday.

He admitted taking $266 in items including two packs of turmeric powder, a bottle of coconut oil, two tins of luncheon meat, two packs of Lasco food drink, a pack of rice, four packets of soda biscuits, four boxes of panadol, two tins of kidney beans and a box of tamarind.

Sergeant Randolph Forde said Clarke entered the supermarket and was being monitored. He was seen placing the items in a bag and was stopped as he was trying to exit the store.

In pleading on Clarke’s behalf, attorney-at-law Dave Cumberbatch acknowledged Clarke’s 20 prior convictions. He pointed out that Clarke’s last conviction was in 2020 with the last theft conviction in 2008.

Cumberbatch said Clarke had not wasted the court’s time and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. “Those items which were stolen . . . were foodstuff. It suggests that these items were to satisfy hunger. I am not condoning stealing but Mr Clarke and others like him are finding it hard . . .

“It’s unfortunate that he has found himself here. This suggests some form of desperation, again I am not condoning stealing . . . but if the court can temper justice with mercy and find a punishment that does not involve prison.”

The chief magistrate then asked Clarke about the whereabouts of his family. Clake said: “The majority of my family have died . . . I lost five members of my family in the last five years.”

But Weekes stated that several community and civil society groups are providing for the elderly. “How is it that we have these scenarios repeating themselves?” he asked.

When Clarke was asked whether he had applied for help from the Welfare Department, no answer was forthcoming.

“You have to apply to the State for help and you have not done that,” Chief Magistrate Weekes told Clarke.”Every time you go and take up the people’s things, how are they to pay the lady that has three children that is working there? You can’t walk into the people’s supermarket and take up things that are not yours.

“The State takes care of its elderly. . . . I am seeing too many of these cases. At your age, you need to do better and get the relevant agencies that are available and seek help.”

The chief magistrate then placed Clarke on a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the next three months. If he breaches the order, he will have to pay a $500 fine immediately or spend the alternative of 60 days in prison. The convicted man was also told to stay away from the Warrens supermarket.

In the second case, a 63-year-old man who stole three hams from Massy supermarket has been placed on a bond for the next three months.

If Abdullah Rahim Aziz of Niles Corner, Christ Church breaches the order imposed on him by Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes he will have to pay a $500 forthwith fine or spend 60 days in prison.

The District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court heard that Aziz entered the Warrens branch of Massy on Monday with a haversack and proceeded to the frozen food aisle with a trolley. He was seen taking up the items and continued through the aisle. He was subsequently observed placing the hams in the bag before attempting to leave. He was stopped. The items are worth $246.

Defence lawyer Cumberbatch, in a plea on Aziz’s behalf, said these are “unfortunate cases . . . unfortunate in the sense . . . that people seem desperate for food”.

The attorney also pointed out that Aziz is a first-time offender and urged the court to impose a non-custodial sentence.

In addressing Chief Magistrate Weekes, the convicted man said: “I was in a desperate situation because I have a little stall and they broke into my stall. . . . I fall back on my addiction . . . marijuana, alcohol and cocaine. I had a two-week relapse. I graduated Verdun [House] 12 years ago.”

Asked why he stole three hams from the supermarket he said; “ I would sell them, Sir”.

After being placed on the bond, the chief magistrate advised Aziz to “Get yourself some help. . . . There are too many groups out there to help”.