(T&T Guardian) – A MAN from south Trinidad has been sentenced to five years in prison with hard labour, after pleading guilty to two larceny charges.
Anil St Clair received the sentence from Senior Magistrate Nizam Khan, after he admitted to the crimes, during a virtual hearing in the Siparia Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

St Clair was charged with stealing a weed wacker, a television, and other household items in two incidents, last week.
In deciding on the appropriate sentence for the 28-year-old, Magistrate Khan considered the fact that he had 15 convictions for similar offences and 10 pending cases.

Magistrate Khan noted that St Clair committed the most recent thefts having served lesser prison sentences for larceny in the past.
He also pointed out that the court had noticed an increase in such crimes and noted that it is affecting citizens financially and psychologically.

“It is not only a monetary violation but a violation of trust,” Magistrate Khan said.
He noted that law-abiding citizens have the right to feel safe and secure in their homes.

“Citizens must be allowed to go about their business in peace and harmony,” Magistrate Khan said.
Before passing the sentence on St Clair, a self-professed Christian, Magistrate Khan had him recite the “Ten Commandments” with a special emphasis on the eighth: “Thou shall not steal”.