Homeless man admits stealing charges

A 32-year-old man of no fixed abode, admitted to stealing alcohol and a digital camera when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard from Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess that on August 27, Christopher Michael Smith, entered Front Street Wines and Spirits, and was seen by an employee shoving a bottle of champagne in his pocket and walking out of the store.

Police were called and he was found in Par-La-Ville Park where he was arrested and taken to the station.

He then admitted to the offence.

On another date, Smith entered an establishment and spoke to an employee there, apologising for stealing a camera four or five years ago.

After he spoke with the employee and left the office, the employee noticed his camera was missing.

He called Police and described Smith alerting Police that he usually hangs out in Par-La-Ville Park.

Smith was later arrested and admitted to the offence.

"I have been living on the streets and it has taken its toll on me. It has caused me to do things I'm not proud of and I would like some help for it," he told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner.

Smith was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment followed by 24 months probation where he is to engage in any rehabilitate programmes at the discretion of court services for the first offence.

He was also sentenced to 30 days imprisonment for the second offence to run concurrent with the time already given.

Police pull over driver, note smell of alcohol

Michael Talbot, 28, of Devonshire, admitted to a charge of driving while under the influence in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard from Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess that on March 7, while Police were on patrol nearby Terceira's Gas Station, Talbot, who was heading west, was pulled over for reckless driving.

While Police were talking to him they noticed a strong smell of intoxicants coming from his breath and ask him if he had been drinking. "I had two beers and a Chivas and water," said Talbot.

He was arrested and taken to the Police station where he was tested and found to have 99 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mg/100ml.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner issued a $1,000 fine to Talbot awarded him 10 demerit points and disqualified him from driving all vehicles for 12 months.