Claxton Bay security guard Richard Griffith pleaded for leniency yesterday after he said he was forced to steal from his employer to buy milk and pampers (diapers) for his two month old baby.However, Griffith, 34, a father of four, must wait until next Tuesday to know his fate after acting deputy Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan deferred sentence pending the result of a criminal records trace.Yesterday, Griffith appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates' Court charged with larceny of ten tractor track plates valued $2500, on October 30, 2011 from the Plaisance Park Industrial Estate, Pointe a Pierre.
The items belonged to businessman Jai Mahabir. Griffith was arrested by PC Anthony Dick and Cpl Shazeed Mohammed.He pleaded guilty.He asked Rambachan for a chance claiming it was his first offence."This is my first time. I really don't like it. Jail is not a nice experience I do not want to go back," he said.Asked why he chose to steal from his employer, Griffith said, "I had some money problems to buy milk and pampers. I have a two month old baby, a two year old, a three year old and one seven year old."
He said he was paid fortnightly but, "the money is not enough to buy milk and pampers. I have to buy school books too."Griffith told Rambachan he knew what he did was wrong."Yes, what you did was wrong. You were there to protect the man's property," he said.Rambachan set sentencing for November 8.