Vagrant gets 18 months in jail for breaking into woman’s home

A vagrant, Mark Birch, 41, was on Monday sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after he admitted to breaking into a woman’s home and carting off several items.

Birch, a father of one, cited hunger as his motivation for the theft.

Appearing before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Birch admitted to breaking into Hazel Thompson’s home between November 17 and 20, 2023, while being in the company of others.

The stolen items included clothing and shoes valued at $900,000, a TCL television worth $100,000, and a microwave valued at $50,000.

In an attempt to explain his actions, Birch told the Magistrate, “I was really hungry. I just take two things. I tek the microwave, my worship. I apologise for what I have done. Be lenient with me.”

The Police Prosecutor revealed that Birch, a vagrant residing at Bourda Market, Georgetown, had a previous record, having spent six months in jail for simple larceny.

According to the prosecution, Thompson’s son-in-law locked up her Regent Street, Georgetown home on November 17 before she left for the USA, leaving the items intact.

However, on November 20, upon returning, he discovered a break-in, with several items stolen and louvre panes removed.

The matter was reported to the police, which led to the identification of Birch through surveillance footage from the residence, depicting him and two other males during the break-in.

After confessing, Birch took officers to the location where the television was recovered, although the other stolen items remained unrecovered.