Chief Magistrate Expresses Concern Over Increase in Elderly Shoplifting Cases: A Closer Look at Recent Incidents

Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes has expressed concern about the number of older people appearing before the court for shoplifting.

The concern came as he dealt with two cases before him.

In the first case, Dorin Kerna Clarke, 62, of Whitehall Tenantry Road, St Michael pleaded guilty to stealing items, mostly foodstuff, from Massy Supermarket, Warrens on Monday.

He admitted taking $266 in items including two packs of turmeric powder, a bottle of coconut oil, two tins of luncheon meat, two packs of Lasco food drink, a pack of rice, four packets of soda biscuits, four boxes of panadol, two tins of kidney beans and a box of tamarind.

Sergeant Randolph Forde said Clarke entered the supermarket and was being monitored. He was seen placing the items in a bag and was stopped as he was trying to exit the store.

In pleading on Clarke’s behalf, attorney-at-law Dave Cumberbatch acknowledged Clarke’s 20 prior convictions. He pointed out that Clarke’s last conviction was in 2020 with the last theft conviction in 2008.

Cumberbatch said Clarke had not wasted the court’s time and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. “Those items which were stolen . . . were foodstuff. It suggests that these items were to satisfy hunger. I am not condoning stealing but Mr Clarke and others like him are finding it hard . . .

“It’s unfortunate that he has found himself here. This suggests some form of desperation, again I am not condoning stealing . . . but if the court can temper justice with mercy and find a punishment that does not involve prison.”

The chief magistrate then asked Clarke about the whereabouts of his family. Clake said: “The majority of my family have died . . . I lost five members of my family in the last five years.”

But Weekes stated that several community and civil society groups are providing for the elderly. “How is it that we have these scenarios repeating themselves?” he asked.

When Clarke was asked whether he had applied for help from the Welfare Department, no answer was forthcoming.

“You have to apply to the State for help and you have not done that,” Chief Magistrate Weekes told Clarke.”Every time you go and take up the people’s things, how are they to pay the lady that has three children that is working there? You can’t walk into the people’s supermarket and take up things that are not yours.

“The State takes care of its elderly. . . . I am seeing too many of these cases. At your age, you need to do better and get the relevant agencies that are available and seek help.”