Suspect Michael Anderson Corbin Given Suspended Sentence & Compensation Order After Pleading Guilty to Handling Stolen Cash and Jewelry

After pleading guilty to handling stolen cash and over $100 000 in stolen jewellery in an almost decade-old matter, Michael Anderson Corbin was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay compensation to the complainants.

“Taking into consideration all of the circumstances of the case and the fact that you have not reoffended since and are considered as having a low- risk of recidivism, the court is of the view that notwithstanding that the offence has crossed the custodial threshold, that circumstances are appropriate for a suspended sentence as permitted under the Penal Reform Act,” said Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell in Supreme Court No. 4 on Friday.

She sentenced Corbin to two years and 10 months behind bars at Dodds Prison but suspended it for three years and ordered him to pay $7 500 in compensation. Failure to do so by February 28, 2025 will result in him having to serve the sentence.

Corbin, a resident of King Street, St Simons, St Andrew, had admitted that between September 25 and October 10, 2014, he dishonestly undertook or assisted in the retention, disposal or realisation of stolen property, namely US$5 000, €100, CDN$700 and £200 belonging to Ludo Marcelo, knowing or believing the property to be stolen.

He also confessed that between those dates, he dishonestly undertook or assisted in the retention, disposal or realisation of stolen property, namely nine bracelets valued at $56 142, six gold chains valued at $25 185, eight gold rings valued at $32 077, five silver rings valued at $660, four pairs of gold earrings valued at $7 824, one gold pendant valued at $400 and one gold charm valued at $150 belonging to Janet Marcelo, knowing or believing the property to be stolen.

The facts outlined to the court were that when the Marcelos returned to their home on September 25, 2014, they found their safe on the bathroom floor cut open and the cash and jewellery that were in it missing. They contacted the police and afterwards sent pictures of the stolen pieces to several pawn and consignment shops. The complainants later went to one of the stores, recognised some of the stolen jewellery, and reported it to the police.

Two weeks later, Corbin was arrested by police at a jewellery store in the City. He was searched and several pieces of the missing jewellery – some of which had been broken into pieces – as well as foreign currency were found in a bag he was carrying. He told the police that he had received the property from a Guyanese man who told him to sell the jewellery and keep the money. Corbin admitted he had already sold several pieces at various shops around Bridgetown. He had presented his identification card at each of the establishments for their records.