Judge orders thief to learn a trade

Senior Parish Judge Paula Blake-Powell urged a Corporate Area woman to have her son take advantage of the free courses offered by the HEART NSTA/Trust, in efforts to steer him away from a life of theft.

"HEART has free programmes offered up to level four. Sign him up for something other than tiefing," the senior jurist said. Blake-Powell referred to 19-year-old Javaughn Johnson, who pleaded guilty to simple larceny on Monday in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. Johnson, the court heard, stole the complainant's Samsung cell phone valued at $40,000. The complainant indicated that he is seeking to be compensated for the stolen phone, but Johnson had no money to begin payment.

The teen informed the senior judge that he was not working and would be assisted by his mother, who accompanied him to court.

"In a month's time we can pay the money, Your Honour," Johnson's mother told the judge.

The matter was adjourned until April 5 when Johnson is to make payments in court.

- T.T.