MONTEGO BAY, St James — A 32-year-old porridge vendor, who admitted to unlawfully entering the western Jamaica Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to seek shelter from the rain, was admonished and discharged during his appearance in St James Parish Court.

At a previous court hearing, Anthony Bingham, who is from Paradise Crescent, Norwood, was mandated to undergo a psychiatric assessment. It determined that he was fit to plead.

“I am guilty of trespassing and sleeping, Ma’am. I am guilty of trespassing on the compound and going to sleep,” Bingham said as he pleaded guilty to office breaking before presiding Parish Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton on Wednesday.

According to court records, on June 18 authorities were summoned to the property situated on Delisser Drive in Montego Bay following the detection of unauthorised activity captured by a security surveillance system.

It was subsequently discovered that a side window had been opened, and Bingham was found asleep inside a room.

“Why did you do that, Mr Bingham?” asked Fairclough-Hylton.

“Miss, I had an injury on my foot, and rain did catch me on that day. The window was left open,” Bingham replied.

Bingham’s attorney, Kimeka Peterkin, stated in her mitigation plea that her client was remorseful and requested that the judge consider the time he had already spent in custody.

“Mr Bingham understands the seriousness of this offence, and he is very remorseful about where he has found himself. He has spent some time in the lock-up, and in light of the time he has spent in custody, we are asking you to take that into consideration,” said Peterkin.

Fairclough-Hylton concurred with the attorney’s statement and then admonished and discharged Bingham before granting him permission to exit the courtroom.