A vendor who said he stole two tins of Tastee cheese out of desperation was fined $18,000 when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last week.
Michael Evans, 47, of Chisholm Avenue in Kingston, pleaded guilty to simple larceny.
The court was told that on March 23, Evans was about to leave a Hi-Lo supermarket when he was observed stuffing two tins of Tastee cheese under his clothes. Store personnel alerted the security who went outside and informed Evans that he took the cheese without paying for it.
Evans denied taking the items, after which a tussle then developed between him and a guard. The tins were found in Evans’ waistband and he was escorted by security personnel to the Half-Way-Tree Police Station where he was charged.
Prior to sentencing, Parish Judge Andrea Pettigrew-Collins asked Evans why he stole the cheese.
“Is it that you are so dishonest or desperate? Why you had to steal something less than $2,000?” Judge Pettigrew-Collins asked Evans.
Evans replied,”Desperate.”
“What you sell?” the judge inquired.
“Onions and irish (potato) in Coronation market,” Evans replied.
“You are just a thief!” the judge uttered.
He was subsequently fined $18,000 or 60 days.
What a cheesy guy!