Broke dad turns to crime - Man steals $300k to support baby

A Corporate Area man hung his head in shame, after he confessed to stealing $300,000 from his former employer to support his newborn son.

"It was stress with my family, Your Honour. I have a young baby and it's my first child," the 52-year-old Winston Hamilton explained.

The middle-aged man was spotted on closed circuit footage gaining access to his former employee's office, and removing $255,000 from one of the desk drawers on the night of July 20. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday that Hamilton had walked off the job earlier that week, and returned to the office that night, using his key to open the offices.

Hamilton, who was employed as a driver and warehouse assistant, pleaded guilty to one count of office breaking and larceny before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell. He has no legal representation. The defendant, who indicated to the senior jurist that he was previously convicted for robbery with aggravation, indicated that he will be making restitution to the complainant.

Burrell adjourned the matter until January 30, 2025, to facilitate a social enquiry report. Hamilton was also made the subject of a fingerprint order.