released from prison.

And yesterday, Marcel Frederick Sheppard told Magistrates' Court that inmates were released from prison without work or anyone to help them and had nowhere to stay.

This is what happened to him, he continued, so he had walked the streets for two weeks in the same clothes he was released from prison in to find a job but got tired after being repeatedly turned down.

"There was no help for me and I know I need help but jail does not help anybody,'' he said. "Westgate ain't taken care of me -- it doesn't take care of anyone.'' Sheppard pleaded guilty to stealing $80 from Burrows Lightbourn Ltd. last Thursday and assaulting two people and stealing $240 from Lines Food and Liquor on Friday.

The court heard that at 6.30 p.m. on September 19 in Sandys Parish, Douglas Roberts was serving a customer in Burrows Lightbourn when Sheppard came in and stood at the counter.

When Mr. Roberts opened the cash register, Sheppard reached over, grabbed some cash and fled.

Lines Food and Liquor cashier Marshael Burt told Police that at 7.15 p.m. on the following day, Sheppard entered Lines Food and Liquor and came to the counter with a dollar to pay for a can of soda.

When Ms Burt opened the register, Sheppard grabbed a handful of cash and made a break for the door.

The court heard that Ms Burt tried to stop him but he pushed her into some shelving at which point a customer in the store grabbed him. The two tussled on the floor but Sheppard got away and ran out of the shop.

Store owner Richard Powell pursued Sheppard in his car and managed to grab him but Sheppard punched him in the face and ran away.

Police officers apprehended him the next day and he admitted to the two thefts but denied intentionally assaulting Ms Burt and Mr. Powell.

Senior Magistrate William Francis remanded Sheppard in custody to await sentencing in the Supreme Court after he ruled that he did not have sufficient power to punish the repeat offender.

JAIL JAL