Caretaker accused of stealing from homeowner

A homeowner was left bewildered when she returned home a week after celebrating her wedding anniversary to see her property ransacked and personal items stolen.

The caretaker of the property, Nigel Lebert, is facing a charge of housebreaking and larceny following the startling discovery on August 14. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday that the complainant securely locked her property on August 5 to attend birthday and wedding anniversary celebrations with her husband. Upon her return, she noticed that her front grille had been pried open, her living room was ransacked and two cell phones were missing.

The police were contacted and Lebert was arrested. It was shared with Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque that Lebert confessed to the act, and when cautioned, he allegedly said, "Me guh inna di house but me never take the phone."

"Your Honour, I did not say anything like that to the police," Lebert stressed, when he was quizzed by the senior judge.

"Wow, so this police officer is so creative. I need to meet this officer of the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] who is making up these statements," Cole-Montaque said.

The matter was adjourned until October 12, to facilitate the attendance of the investigator. Lebert was made the subject of a fingerprint order and was ordered to report to the police once weekly.

- T.T.