An Owia farmer has been bonded, fined and ordered to compensate his cousin for stealing her money, as the court allowed him to avoid prison time for the crime he said he committed while drunk.
Keithroy Nanton, 37, appeared before Magistrate Kaywana Jacobs at the Colonarie Magistrate’s Court on April 9 and pleaded guilty to a charge that on Feb. 12, 2025, at Owia, he stole US$500, CAD$85, 5 euros and EC$1,000 the property of Vonette King, of Owia.
At his arraignment, Nanton pleaded not guilty to the charge but told the magistrate on April 9 that he wanted to change his plea “and get the matter over with”.
The facts, read by the prosecutor, Inspector of Police Corlene Samuel, are that Nanton and King are cousins and live on the same property.
On the date, about 6:30 a.m., King went to a meeting in Fancy and left the money on a table in her house.
King left Nanton at a storage room at the back of her property, and when she returned home around 10 a.m., the money was missing.
King reported the matter to the police, who investigated.
The court heard that then-Corporal of Police Colin Stay was informed about the matter. When Stay approached Nanton, identified himself and informed Nanton about the report, Nanton told Stay, “Buy something to drink” and attempted to give Stay EC$100.
Nanton told Stay that the money was what he received from selling coconuts.
Stay requested a search of Nanton’s person, but he tried to pull away, at which time a plastic bag with money fell from Nanton.
Other police officers who were in Fancy at the time assisted Stay and took Nanton to the Owia Police Station, where the monies were counted in his presence.
They amounted to US$202, CAD$85, 5 euros, and EC$439.
Nanton gave a statement admitting to the offence.
In mitigation, he told the court he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident and was not aware of what he did.
He said he is a fisherman but since the incident, someone stole his fishing equipment so he resorted to farming.
The prosecutor told the court that Nanton has previous convictions. Smauel said she has been informed that King wanted to be compensated and did not want Nanton to be sent to prison.
The magistrate deviated from the 10 months and two weeks prison term and ordered Nanton to compensate King EC$1,361.36, representing the US$298 and EC$561 that were not recovered.
He was ordered to pay the amount by May 5 or face six months in prison. The court also ordered that the recovered funds be returned to King.
The magistrate also ordered Nanton to pay a fine of EC$300 by May 15, or spend three months in prison.
The prison terms in default are to run consecutively.
Nanton was also bonded for six months. If he breaches the bond, he must pay EC$600 forthwith or face three months in prison.
