Stealing $15 worth of food equals 7 year conviction
Anthony Reneau
In the courts, a small loot has landed a convicted burglar in prison for seven years. That’s the news that forty-seven year old Anthony Reneau received when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith late Wednesday evening. During his trial, Reneau was unrepresented but submitted to the court that he should be acquitted because he was not caught with any stolen items and that police could not produce evidence of the window they claim he broke in through. Reneau maintained that he was only found sleeping near the food stall and that he was badly beaten while being apprehended. But a police officer who had responded to the burglary testified that he saw Reneau exit the stall through the window and then jump the fence behind the Stella Maris School. The Chief Magistrate, who was convinced by the police version of the incident, then found him guilty. And while the value of the stolen food items is fifteen dollars, the minimum sentence for burglary is seven years which Reneau will spend behind bars. Chief Magistrate Smith also informed Reneau that he could not be given a non-custodial sentence because he has previous convictions for burglary.
Too bad he did not learn his lesson and to walk the straight path after his earlier conviction. He needs to take responsibility for what he has done with is life and the bad choices he made to put him where he is.
thats a shame to send dat man to jail for 7yrs just for $15.00 worth of food when they have ppl dat commit worst crime than that in belize like d one dat rape dat innocent 4yrs old girl
Here is another reason why we need THE PRISON FARM…SUSTAINABLE REHABILITATION CENTER.
There he can EARN HIS KEEP and CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY at NO COST TO TAX-PAYERS.
Ok, is this cost benefit? $15 vs supporting this guy in jail for 7yrs? Well, take for granted I don’t know his criminial background to say he is danger to society but from a superficial look I don’t see the benefit nor cost avoidance.
I would put this guy at a local jail and let him work have an internship, pick up trash with the city to pay for his food, court expenses and his living expenses. Unless he lives at home so he won’t have to pay for jail living expenses but have to report to work everyday..etc.
A hungry man spends seven years in jail but known murderers don’t spend a night in prison…
This is funny… U steal $15 worth of food.. u get 7 yrs in jail time. Rape, kill or kidnap and u get 1-3 yrs or walk away free. Belize is improving (sarcasm)
What a joke, Belize tough on crime? Why sentence a petty burglar to such a lengthy sentence while murderers walk free.? What about paying a fine or community service.
Containers full of the raw ingredients to manufacture illicit drug and the cops already know there cannot be any charges but 7 years for $15 worth of stolen food?
Who is at the wheel in the judiciary?
murders get less time. what a shame on belize.
murders get less time. what a shame on the judicial law.