A La Romaine man may have gotten a "hell of a deal" when he bought $13,600 worth of jewelry for a mere $1,500. But yesterday Dion Murray was begging San Fernando Second Court magistrate Alexander Prince for leniency when he appeared before him charged with receiving stolen items.
Prince, who scolded him for his actions, fined him $7,000 or two years hard labour. He ordered him to pay $3,000 forthwith and allowed him 28 days to pay the rest. His attorney Mewhalal Chatoor said Murray thought he was getting a deal. Saying it was a "hell of a deal," Prince told Murray it was a serious offence which carried a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Remarking that he ought to have known better, Prince said: "When you see people or know people with items you feel were unlawfully obtained tell them to go somewhere else, do not receive it."
Police prosecutor Wendell Fernando said on August 26, PC Singh was on duty at Southern Main Road, La Romaine, when Murray bought a gold berra, two pairs of gold earrings, a gold chain and two gold hand bands, knowing them to be stolen. The items were recovered.
Murray also pleaded guilty to possession of two grammes of marijuana. He was charged by PC Sahadeo. For this offence he was fined $1,000 or in default three months hard labour.
He was ordered to pay $500 forthwith and allowed 21 days to pay the balance.
