A man who was jailed for stealing a $20 bottle of vitamins has been released from prison after changing his plea.

Ramon Blanchette, 57, earlier admitted stealing a container of Oily Daily Energy Vitamin, valued at $20.99, from MarketPlace when he appeared in Magistrates’ Court in January.

Mr Blanchette, from Hamilton Parish, had several suspended prison sentences hanging over him when he admitted the theft, which allegedly took place on November 5, 2024.

The sentences included three years in prison for burglary and two years behind bars for theft and prowling, but they were all suspended for three years.

Mr Blanchette, who has previous convictions dating back to 1986, asked senior magistrate Maxanne Anderson not to activate the suspended sentences but was sentenced to 3½ years behind bars for all the matters, including the theft of vitamins, in January.

Magistrate Auralee Cassidy revoked Mr Blanchette’s guilty plea for the offence when he reappeared in court yesterday.

She released Mr Blanchette on $1,000 bail until August 19, when his trial could be heard and ordered him not to go into any MarketPlace stores.

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