A gardener who stole $50, 000 worth of gabion basket told the court that he thought the baskets were rubbish.

Rohan Nelson was held by security guards on January 24 with five baskets on the compound of the complainant’s business place on Tremaine Road in Kingston.

Nelson was arrested after someone spotted him on the premises and called the security company.

The father of three was subsequently charged with simple larceny.

Last Friday when he appeared in court before Judge Pettigrew-Collins, he told the court that he was not aware that the baskets were of use.

“Is outside by the rubbish I found them. I didn’t go in the yard or nothing,” Nelson said, claiming that he was in search of scrap metal.

But the judge told him: “What you’re saying doesn’t make sense. It is highly unlikely that those baskets could be considered as rubbish.”

Furthermore, Judge Pettigrew-Collins said: “Just think, somebody is going to throw away something valued at $50,000 as rubbish?”

The judge then indicated that she was going to sentence Smith to do community service, but was told by the prosecutor that he was a habitual offender.

The judge then questioned Smith about his previous brushes with the law and was told that he had got into trouble with the law only twice for drugs.

“I am waiting for you to be truthful,” the judge told Nelson.

Nelson however insisted that he could only remember getting in trouble twice before.

The judge then remanded him for sentencing and requested a copy of his criminal record.

“You think about your answer and give me a truth answer when you return, “Judge Pettigrew-Collin further told Nelson.