Bike thief gets six months after compensation bargain fails

A 20-year-old mason who admitted to stealing a bicycle was yesterday sentenced to six months in jail after he failed to convince the owner to allow him to work for him in order to repay him for the theft.

The charge against John Cameron stated that on June 8th, 2019, at North Road, Bourda, he stole a bicycle, valued $22,500, from Marlon Walcott.

During the commencement of his trial in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court Six yesterday, Cameron begged Walcott to accept compensation so the charge could be dismissed. Walcott relented and told Magistrate Dylon Bess that he would drop the charge if Cameron bought him a bicycle immediately. Cameron then said that he didn’t have any money and offered to work for Walcott so he could buy the bicycle. Walcott, however, told the magistrate that he didn’t trust Cameron and refused.

Left with no choice, Cameron immediately changed his plea and admitted to the crime. He further revealed to the court that he was sentenced to three months in prison for a robbery charge months ago.

The magistrate subsequently told Cameron that he took into consideration his honesty and imposed a six-month sentence on him.

According to the prosecutor, on the day in question, Walcott secured his bicycle at his workplace at Bourda and went into the building. He later went to check on his bicycle and discovered that it was missing. Upon viewing security footage, he saw Cameron removing the bicycle. He reported the matter to the police and Cameron was later arrested and charged for the offence.