Prison bird blames cocaine for stealing habit

Aconfessed drug addict who admitted to stealing almost $13,000 worth of haircare products from a Corporate Area supermarket is to know his fate in the next two months when he returns to court to be sentenced.

Lester Barcoo pleaded guilty to simple larceny in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday. The court heard that Barcoo went to the supermarket and stole leave-in conditioner, hair moisturiser, among other items amounting to $12,900.

He was apprehended by security officers as he tried to leave the establishment. Its representatives said Barcoo is a habitual offender.

When asked by Senior Parish Judge LoriAnne Cole-Montaque why he keeps stealing from the supermarket, Barcoo said he has a substance abuse problem.

“I have an issue, a drug issue,” Barcoo said, adding that he is addicted to cocaine. He said that he tried to “get clean” but found himself using again after his house was burglarised and “shot up” by thugs.

“Everything just went downhill,” Barcoo said.

Barcoo shared that he has “about four or five” previous convictions. He also said that he was sentenced by judge Cole-Montaque on one occasion, and that he spent about five months in prison.

“That obviously was not enough to get it out of your system. I think you would have prepared yourself mentally for prison and that you would be spending more than before,” the senior jurist outlined.

Barcoo was remanded in custody until April 25 for sentencing. His criminal records were also requested by judge Cole-Montaque.