At first glance, the headline '$30,000 or 6 months for ackee thief' brings to mind a situation of grave injustice. After all, it is a lot of money or a lot of time for a fruit that grows all over Jamaica.

However, a closer read reveals a situation where the convicted man, Dean Hamilton, was caught with two bags of ackee at 2:30 on the morning of his arrest and warned not to return, yet two hours later he was again seen on the property in Guanabo Vale, St. Catherine. And Hamilton, who exclaimed 'Jesus Christ' when the sentence was announced, had a previous conviction for a similar offence.

Obviously, then, he had no intention of stopping. While it may indeed be 'a little ackee', the persistence and consistency of the thief indicates that he intended to keep on going, with no consideration for the rights of the owners.

Often, those who carry out what is considered minor acts of thievery are excused on the grounds that they do not take much. However, when that 'likkle bit' is taken again and again it does add up. Furthermore, taking a little fruit from a tree because of hunger is a different matter from treating someone's property as if it is a replacement for working for a living.

We are sure that Mr. Hamilton has learnt a lesson.

And, as far as punishment for stealing from farmers goes, Hamilton is much luckier than many who have felt the sharp edge of street justice.