RAJAZ Watson, who pleaded guilty to larceny last Wednesday and was given the opportunity to make restitution, returned to Court two days later and was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.

Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson imposed the custodial penalty on the thief, 23, of Lot 14 Stone Avenue Housing Scheme, Campbellville, Georgetown, who had previously admitted stealing a $120,000 gold chain from Rajendra Rawatie on March 22.

The convict said he stole 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 and repay him after disclosing that he sold the booty for $18,000.

Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said the victim was on Hincks Street, in the city, when Watson asked him for a cigarette and a light but grabbed the chain and escaped as Rajendra was about to give him the cigarette.