RAJAZ Watson pleaded guilty to larceny yesterday and was given the opportunity, by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, to make restitution by April 9 or face imprisonment.
Watson, 23, of Lot 14 Stone Avenue Housing Scheme, Campbellville, Georgetown, admitted that, on March 22, he stole a gold chain, valued $120,000, from Rajendra Rawatie.
The labourer said he sold the jewel to get money to visit his mother who is in hospital nursing self inflicted stab wounds.
He acknowledged that he made a mistake and offered to work for the virtual complainant to repay him and, in tears, disclosed that he sold the chain for $18,000.
The magistrate warned Watson that if he was convicted in the High Court, he could get 14 years imprisonment.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said the victim was on Hincks Street, in the city, too, when the thief asked him for a cigarette and a light.
Rawatie was giving him the cigarette when Watson snatched the chain and made good his escape, the Prosecutor said.