‘You know your thing, but you are dishonest’
Judge says bar worker has pattern of theft
MONTEGO BAY, St James — A bar employee who has a pattern of dishonesty has been given a two-year suspended sentence, with supervision.
Charmaine Heslop appeared before the St James Parish Court, Wednesday, after pleading guilty to larceny as a servant linked to a cash shortage at a bar in Flanker, St James.
Before sentencing, presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton asked Heslop if there was anything she wanted to say before she was sentenced.
“I am sorry and I will pay back the money,” Heslop said.
A social enquiry report presented to the court described Heslop as a mother who cares for her children but also suggested a pattern involving former employers.
“All the bars that you work at, you take their things… one past employer said you know your thing, but you are dishonest. You are always stealing from them,” the judge remarked.
The case arose after a shortfall of $228,900 was discovered while Heslop was entrusted with operating poker boxes at a local bar.
Court records revealed that on December 22, 2025 she received a $30,000 float to manage the gaming boxes. When the bar owner later conducted a review on January 4, profits totalling $198,900 were recorded, but Heslop was only able to account for $9,450.
During a previous court session the complainant rejected suggestions that the money was used to purchase supplies for the bar.
“That’s a total lie. She does not buy goods for my bar; I buy goods for myself. I called and ordered it from the Chinese at the market, and they sent it to me and came for the money at my house,” the court was told.
Court records indicate that during police questioning at the investigation stage, Heslop admitted taking the money.
“A tek mi tek di money fi sort out some business, but mi a get money weekend,” she reportedly said.
