Dodds Prison is where Don Andre Orlando Phillips will be for the next nine months.
That sentence was handed on Wednesday by Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court No. 1
Phillips, of Lower Burney, St Michael, admitted that on March 2, he damaged a window belonging to Tricia Gittens, and did so again on November 5. He also confessed to loitering on Richard Barrow’s premises on September 29, and that on October 29, he damaged Carolyn Morris’ car.
Prosecutor Sergeant Kenmore Phillips said that regarding the loitering charge, in 2017 homeowner Richard Barrow found Phillips asleep in a bedroom at his house. He added that Phillips has some mental challenges and fearing for his and his family’s safety, the complainant ordered him to stay away from his property.
However, on September 29 this year, Barrow returned home from work and saw Phillips standing in
his driveway. He asked him what he was doing there and Phillips replied that he had come to get some water, “as though he pays the man’s water bill”, the prosecutor added. Police were called but Barrow disappeared by the time they arrived.
On the car damage charge, the court heard that Morris parked and secured her vehicle next to her residence around 7 p.m. She was inside the next day when she heard two loud bangs and looked out to see Phillips – whom she knew – running away. He left a dent in one of the car doors.
The prosecutor said Tricia Gittens was at home on both dates when she heard a loud bang and discovered that her windows were shattered.
The court heard that Phillips was given a three-month sentence for criminal damage in January by another magistrate, but it was suspended for a year. However, his guilty pleas on Wednesday meant he had breached the order and would automatically have to spend the time in jail.
In his defence, Phillips said he never intended “to do nothing” at Barrow’s house, but simply wanted some water. “People does just be provoking me all the time . . . . . I ain’t know wuh does be wrong wid my head sometimes,” he said.
“It’s because you don’t take your medication,” Chief Magistrate Weekes responded.
“Right. I gine try and take it,” Phillips agreed.
“Well you will have to take it in prison,” Chief Magistrate told him.
Phillips was convicted, reprimanded and discharged for the loitering; the three-month suspended sentence was enforced; plus six months for damaging Morris’ car to run consecutive; and six months on each count of damaging Gittens’ window, which will both run concurrently.
Medical treatment was also ordered for him while incarcerated. (SD)
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