A man avoided jail time yesterday after he admitted the theft of a motorcycle owned by the City of Hamilton’s chief operating officer.

Che Pennyman, 49, was sentenced to a year in jail at Magistrates’ Court for the theft of a motorcycle that belonged to Dwayne Caines, but senior magistrate Juan Wolffe suspended the sentence for two years.

The court heard that Mr Caines learnt on November 12 last year that his motorcycle, which had been parked behind City Hall in Hamilton, had been stolen.

He was told that the theft had been recorded by CCTV cameras in the area and he contacted police.

Pennyman, who was known to the victim, returned the motorcycle to City Hall and apologised to Mr Caines.

He said: “I didn’t know it was your bike. I would’ve never messed with it had I known it was yours.”

Pennyman, from Pembroke, was arrested on December 19 and admitted the theft.

The court heard that the motorcycle was worth $6,200.

Pennyman said that he was undergoing drug treatment and wanted to “move on”.

Mr Wolffe warned Pennyman that he must stay out of trouble for two years or risk having to serve his sentence.

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