A man was jailed for nine months for breaking into and stealing merchandise from a Reid Street technology store.

Shaheed Muhammad, 26, from St George’s, pleaded guilty to the offence in Magistrates’ Court on July 18.

The court was told that Muhammad and another person broke into the electronics store P-Tech on May 23 and stole more than $25,000 worth of electronics and caused $11,000 worth of damage inside the store after they poured petrol on the floor.

Blood droplets found at the scene were later linked to Muhammad.

Three stolen phones have since been recovered.

Before Muhammad was sentenced, Javone Rogers, for the Crown, told the court: “In the circumstances, a custodial sentence is warranted. Having read the social inquiry report, however, any custodial sentence should come with a probationary period to assist him with making good choices [in the future].”

Susan Mulligan, Muhammad’s lawyer, highlighted that her client broke into a business, not a home. Therefore, she said the offence was, in her opinion, less serious.

Magistrate Tyrone Chin sentenced Muhammad, who has been imprisoned since July, to nine months behind bars, including the three already served.

Mr Chin also sentenced Muhammad to two years’ probation once his prison term is completed.

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