PATRICK Reece, 55, was fined $25,000 with the alternative of six months imprisonment yesterday, on conviction for simple larceny.

He admitted stealing two bottles of ‘Purple Blast’, (used to clean motor vehicles engines) telling Magistrate Ann McLennan that he was hungry.
The offence was committed on September 18 in Croal Street, Georgetown and the booty, valued $30,000, belonged to Lukenarine Persaud.
After the charge was read to Reece, he told the magistrate: “It was because I was hungry, My Worship.”
Police Sergeant Dinero Jones, prosecuting, said, at 13:13 hrs that day, the defendant went into ‘Action Tyre’ store at Lot 17 Croal Street with a male companion and, whilst walking around the business place, he grabbed the two bottles and tried to escape.
But he was apprehended at the door by Persaud.