TREVOR De Souza, of Lot 1 Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment yesterday, after being convicted of larceny from the person.
Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo imposed the custodial penalty on him, at New Amsterdam Court, also in Berbice, for stealing from 58-year-old Dolly Lall, who had gone to seek treatment at New Amsterdam Hospital last August 19.
The patient was sitting in the waiting area of the institution when the thief put his hand in her shoulder bag and removed $17,000  that was inside.
She quickly raised an alarm and security guards apprehended the thief to the Police, said Inspector Satrohan Dayaram, prosecuting.
The Prosecutor informed the Court that De Souza has previous convictions.