Gregory Derron Myles has admitted to three charges of dishonesty and sentenced to six years in jail.
Myles, 40, was being cross-examined by Crown Counsel Tanya Lobban when he confessed.
Myles said he had suffered a serious stab wound in 1992, which led him to commit the offences because he could not work and had not been compensated for the injury.
The trial began last Monday before Mrs. Justice Priya Levers and a jury of seven.
The Crown presented evidence pertaining to two of four incidents.
Myles was charged with attempted burglary at George Hicks High School’s administration office 27 August, 2005.
A security guard called police after hearing noises. When police arrived the intruder fled but was caught. He was carrying pliers, a steel bar and a screwdriver.
The second incident was 15 September, 2005. Police observed Myles riding a bicycle at 2.10am without any lights. When they went to stop him he sped up and was chased.
Officers found two bags on the bike’s handlebars and another on Myles’ back. The bags contained cartons of cigarettes, lighters, T-shorts, beach towels, necklaces and sunglasses, with a total value of US$3,708. The items came from the gift shop of a hotel on West Bay Road.
Myles was accused of burglary and he maintained his not guilty plea, but he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.
Mrs. Justice Levers directed the jury to return the appropriate verdicts.
Defence Attorney Keva Reid spoke in mitigation, elaborating on Myles’ attitude towards his offences.
She said he wanted his situation put before the court because he felt he did not get justice in the 1992 incident, when he was stabbed with an ice pick.
He was saying that the wound had not been treated properly and he suffered an internal injury that made him unemployable.
Mrs. Reid said Myles felt more or less destitute because he could not live on the $80 per month he received from social services. She also provided family background and said Myles might benefit from counselling.
The defendant did not agree.
Mrs. Justice Levers said she had read various letters Myles had written about his situation. She noted he had 31 previous convictions, mostly for dishonesty.
The main thrust of the Defence was the 1992 injury. But, she said, his record showed that his offences of dishonesty had started in 1985.
The judge said she would not hold it against him that he had not been forthright with the court from the beginning. But she believed that he needed a custodial sentence. She was also of the view that he should have counselling.
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