60-Year-Old Man Arrested for Loitering with Intent to Steal Less Than 24 Hours After Theft Conviction

Less than 24 hours after he was convicted, reprimanded and discharged for theft, a 60-year-old man was back before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes in the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court on another charge.

Clint Antonio Dacosta Rock, of no fixed place of abode, was charged that being a reputed thief, he was loitering on St Stephen’s Hill, Black Rock, St Michael with intent to steal. He pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The prosecutor objected to bail, pointing out that the accused man had been before the court just the day before.

On Tuesday, Rock had pleaded guilty to entering Channell’s Supermarket in Black Rock, St Michael and stealing one bottle of vitamins worth $40 on December 12.

The court heard that around 8:30 pm, the supervisor of the establishment saw Rock put the item in his pocket and informed security who positioned themselves by the door. When approached by management and asked what he had in his pocket, Rock denied stealing anything and headed to the exit where he was held by security and the police were called.

He told Magistrate Weekes that he had stolen the vitamins as he was feeling “weaky weaky” and wanted to rebuild his health.

The man, who at that time had 22 previous convictions, several for theft, was advised to seek help from the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness.

However, he said that he was staying in a place that was “better than there” even though it had no electricity or running water.

Noting that Rock’s last conviction was in 2009, Weekes convicted, reprimanded and discharged him and urged him to stay on the right path.

When the man reappeared before him on Wednesday, the judge said: “I cannot believe you. I sent you back only yesterday. You could have gone to the shelter and you would have been fine. I am going to have to keep you and send you where you can get some ham and turkey.”

Rock was remanded into custody and is due to head back to court on January 16, 2024.