Robber jailed - by Barbados Today August 3, 2023 Article by Barbados Today Published on August 3, 2023

A 42-year-old robber, Derick Oneal Morris, has been sentenced to 12 months in Dodds Prison for three crimes.

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes has also offered the Wildey, St Michael resident – who confessed to being a drug addict – the option of seeking help after serving his sentence.

In the first incident, Morris admitted to stealing a cellular phone worth $700 belonging to Rosanna Springer on June 23. The victim was outside Sky Mall using her phone when Morris attempted to grab her purse. He was unsuccessful but managed to snatch her phone and flee.

The second case involved Morris trespassing at JICS Holdings and stealing $2,005 from Manoah Wilson on June 21. He used a stick with chewing gum attached to the end in an attempt to retrieve money from a container. He then threatened an individual who saw what was happening before entering the building through a window. He took the money and made his escape.

In the third offence, Morris entered KFC on June 17 and was observed standing in line, the court heard. But he jumped over the counter, grabbed a cash drawer, and left the same way he came in. He was charged with stealing a cash drawer worth $4,000 and $1,735 in cash from the restaurant.

Sergeant Verdon Forde read the facts to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.

Morris expressed remorse and admitted to having a drug addiction since he was 17. He asked for leniency and help.

“The lady get back she cell phone,” Morris told the Chief Magistrate.

Sir, I have a drug problem. I would like the court to have leniency on me and help me. Sir, I want some help, please Sir. I have three children,” said Morris, who already had 15 convictions recorded.

“I don’t remember having so much convictions,” he added and disclosed that he had a drug addiction since the age of 17.

When questioned, he told Chief Magistrate Weekes that he had gone to the Psychiatric Hospital “a time back” but never went back.

“The drugs does play with your mind, Sir, I was on the streets,” he added.

However, the Chief Magistrate told him that he claimed to have had the drug habit for the past 25 years and had done nothing to get the help he needed.

“Everybody is coming to Father Ian,” as the Chief Magistrate described himself. “Maybe they get me confused with other persons who are so trained. So somebody has said, “Come to Father Ian; he will give you a blessing of a trip up Verdun House.”

Weekes reminded Morris that assistance was available.

“Parents try to help, family try to help. Wunna, don’t go. But I feel there is word floating around . . . ‘go to that man Weekes he going send you to Verdun’. I am not running that ship. When you all are out there, and you all have access to help, you all have to take advantage . . . but now you come for me to do miracles.”

However, the Chief Magistrate assured the convict that if he genuinely sought help after his prison term, he would do his best to assist him.

“After you leave prison and you are serious about the help, I shall be here waiting to offer that help.”

Chief Magistrate Weekes then imposed 12-month sentences for each offence, to be served concurrently.