Man steals from church, accepts Christ as saviour before sentencing
November 15, 2013, By KNews, Filed Under News, Source
“In the presence of the faithful pastor, I wish to accept Christ as my saviour so I can be pardoned for my sin.” These were the comments of a 43-year-old weed cutter on the theft he committed on a Church at Avocado Square, East Ruimveldt.
Yesterday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Cecil Forde entered a guilty with explanation plea on account of a simple larceny charge which was read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan.
The court heard that he stole six concrete blocks valued at $600, property of Simon Harris, pastor of the church.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the defendant and the complainant are well known to each other.
According to Jones, on the day in question, Forde stole the items from the church’s yard and when he was confronted by the pastor, he admitted to stealing the items. The court heard he had promised to repay the pastor but, to date, has failed to do so.
When explaining his actions, the man told the court that “Ah did stealing because in the Bible people does steal when they hungry to eat”. This was seconds before he announced that he wished to be “saved” and “pardoned” by the Lord for his actions.
The man stated that he stole the blocks to block flooding waters from entering his house. He said that the church had not “palled off” the items so anybody could “reach” them.
When the Magistrate asked why he hadn’t asked for the items, the man responded “Ah shoulda do that you know, but it just wasn’t in meh brains. Ah getting counseling to.”
Forde stated that he has no priors and Magistrate McLennan instructed that he either pays a fine of $10,000 or an alternative of three months imprisonment.
“Ah gun tek the three months cause me ent get $10,000. Thank you madam,” were Forde’s last words before he exited the courtroom.
