PRINCIPAL Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, on Monday imposed a six -week community service stint on a 20-year-old unemployed man who pleaded guilty to snatching a woman’s chain.

Shamar Whyte of South Ruimveldt appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on January 12, 2019, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, he stole from Ashanti Khan a gold chain and pendant valued $300,000.
“I’m sorry, I did it and I’m begging for leniency” Whyte told the court as he pleaded with the magistrate for another chance.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris told the court that the victim was on the Route 72 bus park when Whyte walked up to her and snatched the gold chain from around her neck. Harris pointed out that, as Whyte ran away, Khan raised an alarm and he (Whyte) was apprehended by public spirited persons and turned over to the police who were on patrol.
A probation report which was done on Whyte was read in court before sentencing. The probation officer, Atwell, told the court that Whyte was a secondary school dropout. She added that Whyte was once employed at a bottled-water distribution company but was unable to get a proper job because he never finished school.

It was revealed that Whyte had once lived with his mother and step father but was ‘kicked out’ and forced to live with his sister and other relatives, due to family problems.

Atwell noted that Whyte lacked proper guidance and was led astray by friends. She further added that she did not know if the family unit was strong enough to support Whyte.
Additionally, as it related to the charge before the court, Atwell stated that Whyte was sorry for his actions but he must also know that persons must be free to walk the streets, with their items that they worked hard for, and not be afraid.

The magistrate, after considering that it was Whyte’s first time before the courts, the nature of the offence and his age, sentenced him to six weeks of community service at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Counselling is also to be sought.