Attorney Brian Barnes put in an impassioned plea to get a nine-month at hard labour sentence cut to three months on behalf of Neville Livingston, also called ‘Longfoot’, saying he had children to support and was the only income source for his household.

Livingston was ordered imprisoned in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s court yesterday after pleading guilty to forgery, conspiracy and attempting to obtain goods using a forged document.

“He has seven children who are minors and he is their sole breadwinner especially in this time of back to school. Perhaps you can add something to the sentence your honour like suspended for two or three years,” Barnes pleaded before Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle.

“It is on behalf of the children that I am here today.”

Livingston had attempted to obtain goods under false pretence from Epic Hardware in May Pen, Clarendon. He requested an invoice for $816,456 worth of merchandise, then told the proprietors he would be sending a bearer to collect the goods.

The police say they were contacted after the management of the hardware store became suspicious of a cheque drawn on the account of the National Housing Trust.

The driver of a truck which was chartered to transport the goods and the bearer were questioned by the police, and Livingston was held at the St William Grant Park in Kingston last week during a sting operation.

The cops say Livingston tried to run, but was collared after a 100-yard chase.

Police also say Livingston had issued another invoice to the National Housing Trust for the amount of $361,590 from another hardware store in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

“I think he has learnt his lesson even where he is now. He is a very good electrician and can be put to work anywhere, community or otherwise. He was a fool,” Barnes pleaded as persons in the gallery, police officers and court staff giggled loudly.

RM Gayle was not easily convinced and reminded Barnes that Livingston had been convicted five years ago for attempting to smuggle ganja abroad.

“He should have learnt his lesson then. This is taxpayers’ money,” said the judge.

“I am here on behalf of the seven children your honour. I guess most of us would say send him away, but that is the same thing they said about Christ,” Barnes said.

After a few more exchanges, the magistrate ruled that Livingston’s sentence be reduced to three months.