CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday ordered a 27-year-old miner to pay compensation or serve 12 months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a break and enter charge.

Christopher Punch of West Coast, Berbic, confessed to breaking into the dwelling house of Anthony Mahase at Bartica between January 7 and January 24, and stole a chain saw and television valued $275,000.

According to the unrepresented Punch, his girlfriend was left as the caretaker for the Mahase home while the man was away. He admitted that he broke into the home and took the TV, along with the chainsaw to sell and make a profit.

“Me and meh girlfriend say that we would sell the things and buss up the money but we didn’t getting market for the TV so we decide to put it back in the man home but that’s when he catch we,” Punch explained to the court.

Police Prosecutor Deniro explained to the court that Punch’s girlfriend was charged before the Bartica Magistrate Court for the same offence, while Punch was nabbed during his appearance in court.
“This is not like longtime. Don’t let a woman encourage you to do bad things,” the Chief Magistrate urged Punch.

Magistrate McLennan ordered Punch to repay Mahase $200,000 compensation for the stolen chain saw or serve 12 months in jail.