By Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

western bureau:

The Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court is awaiting a social enquiry report before sentencing a teenager who stole a $22,000 Motorola Razr cellular phone from a woman.

Eighteen-year-old Toshane Willie of a St. James address pleaded guilty to larceny from the person and unlawful possession of property when he was brought before the court on Monday.

Willie told RM Winsome Henry that his actions might have been sparked by his intake of an alcoholic beverage on the same day he committed the offence.

Celebrity lifestyle

Attorney-at-law Clive Mullings, who appeared as amicus curiae (a friend of the court), told the Resident Magistrate that youths today are too caught up in the "glitz and glamour of a celebrity lifestyle".

He said that this might have been the motive behind Willie's actions and asked for leniency.

Willie was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 and is to return to court for sentencing on November 27.

The court heard that about 2:30 p.m. on October 28, the complainant was sitting in her parked car at the Life of Jamaica complex parking lot in Montego Bay. She had one of her feet outside of the vehicle when she felt someone holding on to her waistband.

Escaped

She turned around and saw the accused, who grabbed her cellphone and ran. An alarm was raised but the accused escaped by making his way through the Harbour Street Craft Market. She later made a report to the police after she failed to find him.

Willie was held later that same day when a policeman on foot patrol saw him running along St. Claver's Avenue. He was searched and two cellphones, including a Motorola Razr fitting the description of the one stolen from the complainant, were found in his possession. He was unable to give an acceptable explanation as to how he came in possession of the phones and was arrested.

The complainant, who was still at the police station when the police brought in Willie, and was able to identify him as the person who grabbed her phone. The phone that was recovered bore a photo of the complainant.

Willie was arrested and charged.