A man who pleaded guilty to stealing 85 Gleaner newspapers was sentenced in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday.

He is Paul Bryan, who has been charged with simple larceny.

Bryan, who pleaded guilty with explanation, was fined $5,000, or six months in prison.

unattended

It is reported that the complainant, who is a newspaper vendor, had left his papers unattended and returned moments later to find out that they were missing.

Further reports are that the complainant found the accused with the newspapers and reported the matter to the police.

"Your Honour, I am a sick man, it was a friend give me dem. Him drop dem right at mi foot and a mi a sell dem to mek a little money," the accused told the court.