A man, who walked into a shop and stole a pillowcase containing over $1M in valuables, was, on Friday, sentenced to 12 months in prison by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Royston James pleaded guilty to simple larceny when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

He admitted that on September 15 at Durban Street, Georgetown, he stole one handbag valued at $16,000, one gold chain valued at $240,000, one gold band valued at $240,000, one plane ticket valued at $690,000, and $8,500 in cosmetics, property of Samantha Manoney.

According to the facts provided in court, about 10:10 hours on the day in question, the victim secured her valuables in a pillowcase which she hid behind a freezer in her shop. She then went into her house. About 10 minutes later, she returned to her shop and on checking, she discovered the pillowcase with the valuables missing. James was seen in the area prior to the discovery of the theft.

A report was made at the Alberttown Police Station.

On November 10, the victim saw James on the West Coast of Demerara and pointed him out to the police who arrested him. When told of the allegation, he orally admitted that he stole the items.