Man jailed for two pieces of chicken

A homeless man admitted to breaking into a canteen in his community, stealing two pieces of chicken and bread to satisfy his hunger.

"Me very sorry about it. It so foolish that me end up here because of two piece a chicken and bread because me did hungry," the defendant, Mark Sherrington, said on Tuesday. Sherrington, who appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, was eager to plead guilty to shop breaking and larceny, as he repeatedly stated that he went into the canteen to steal the food.

"The door did have a little lock and by time me move it, it just open. Me ask my friend for $1,000 or a five bill ($500) and him couldn't help me so I just went into the shop," Sherrington said of the May 17 incident.

However, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell did not accept Sherrington's plea of guilt as prosecutors contend that a Samsung tablet, valued at $17,000 was also stolen.

"Your Honour, there was several other things there and I did not take it, just the food. They can look at the camera and see me eating the food. I drink a chocolate milk, a ... milk and a can juice and I eat them all same place. I never take anything else," the man said.

"You were a thief with a purpose. You went in for food and you only took food, I understand what you were saying. I have never seen a more honest thief than yourself," the senior jurist said.

The matter was then adjourned until June 18 for the investigating officer to attend court with the raw surveillance footage of the incident and for the complainant to attend. Sherrington was made the subject of a fingerprint order and was remanded in custody until then.