Cabbie imprisoned for stealing copper wire

Dwayne Jones, the 46-year-old taxi driver who was found in possession of just over $1 million worth of copper wire cables, which is the property of telecommunications company FLOW, has been sentenced to prison for 19 months.

The sentence of the court was imposed by Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque. She said the sanction was done to reflect the seriousness of the crime, which has immediate effect on the country's technological progress.

Jones pleaded guilty to simple larceny, malicious destruction of property and trespassing on the works of FLOW. Attorney-at-law, Evan Evans, in plea mitigation, said his client was remorseful.

The lawyer argued that his client was interested in making restitution for the damaged items, however, it has proven a challenge for Jones who has spent the last five months in custody. He has paid $250,000 to the complainant.

"We are begging the court's mercy," Evans submitted.

However, Cole-Montaque was unmoved.

"I am not in agreement with what your lawyer has said. I don't think you are remorseful in circumstances where you were caught red-handed. That [the sums already paid for restitution] is not enough, that is just a drop in the bucket in terms of the damage that was done," the judge expressed.

"Schools, hospitals and even the courts, all of our operations are remotely done. We are coming out the throws of COVID-19, and we are now technologically dependent. I have to think what is the most appropriate sentence because this is serious business. I have to send a message to those persons who may think of trespassing on the works, that we don't play around here," the senior jurist said.

On the counts of malicious destruction of property, Jones was sentenced to four months imprisonment at hard labour while for simple larceny, he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment at hard labour. He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment at hard labour for trespassing on the works of FLOW. The sentences are the run concurrently.

Jones was made the subject of a fingerprint order.