The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to a little more than two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) for trespassing onto Government House grounds and stealing a lawnmower.

Otis Pratt, 57, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on charges of stealing, receiving and trespassing.

Around 6pm on September 2, Pratt was arrested by officers after he was found trespassing on Government House holding a piece of plywood and a stolen lawnmower. The Briggs & Stratton lawnmower, worth $379.99, was later identified as the property of Michael Wring.

In court, the accused pleaded guilty to the stealing and trespassing charges resulting in the receiving charge being withdrawn.

When Pratt was asked by the magistrate why he committed this crime, he claimed that he was drunk at the time. The accused further claimed that he was abused while in custody at Central Station to which the magistrate advised him to lodge an official complaint to the relevant authorities.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans then sentenced Pratt to two years at BDCS for the stealing charge and an additional three months for the trespassing charge, to be served consecutively. The magistrate pointed out that Pratt is a repeat offender with similar convictions — shop-breaking and attempted stealing — and as he does not appear remorseful for his actions is reason for his sentencing.

While on remand, the accused will receive medical attention after requesting it from the magistrate.