A 32-year-old landscaper was on Wednesday sentenced to two years imprisonment for stealing a woman’s car from the Stabroek Market tarmac, Georgetown.
Anthony Hooper of Congress Drive, North Ruimveldt appeared before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and admitted that on October 10, 2021, he stole a Toyota Axio motorcar valued at $3.5M, property of Onika Bobb.
According to reports, the victim is a vendor in the area and on the day in question, she parked her car on the tarmac and accidentally left the key in the driver’s side door, and went vending. Upon her return, she discovered that the car was missing.
A report was made to the police and upon reviewing footage from a nearby CCTV camera, Hooper was seen entering the car and driving away.
On February 15, 2022, the victim’s husband saw Hooper driving the motor car along the East Bank Demerara corridor but the licence plate number was changed to HD 1655.
The man then went to Hooper and questioned him about the car during which he reportedly admitted to stealing it. He was subsequently arrested by the police.
Hooper, who did not have legal representation in court, told the magistrate that he was under the influence of alcohol when he took the vehicle.
“I was under the influence of alcohol when I took the vehicle…It was not a willful act,” Hooper told the Chief Magistrate.
The father of one asked the court for an opportunity to repay the victim for the time he had the car.
However, despite his plea for a second chance, the Chief Magistrate sentenced Hooper to serve two years behind bars.
