Chain snatcher sentenced to 6 months
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man who snatched a gold chain from a woman’s neck in downtown Kingston was sentenced to six months in prison, hours after committing the crime on Monday.
Andre Whyte pleaded guilty to larceny from the person when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court shortly after 2:00 pm.
A police source told OBSERVER ONLINE that about 11:30 am, the woman was walking in the vicinity of Princess Street and West Queen Street when Whyte grabbed her gold chain. It is said that the woman, who cried out for thief, caught the attention of a policeman who was nearby.
The policeman man reportedly gave chase and accosted Whyte in Coronation Market.
He was subsequently taken to court.
Prior to handing down the sentence Monday afternoon, Parish Judge Vaughn Smith told the court that he was using the case to send a strong message to thieves in the busy market district.
Racquel Porter
