Homeless crack addict confesses to stealing vegetables

A confessed drug addict, who has been homeless for almost two decades, yesterday confessed in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to stealing two crates of vegetables .

Patrick Johnson, 49, pleaded guilty to simple larceny, after taking $38,000 worth of produce from a vendor's stall on Heywood Street. The complainant reportedly packed up her stall and left for home on the night of March 15. When she returned the following day at 6:30 a.m., she realised that two crates, one with green peppers and the other with salad tomatoes, were missing.

The complainant informed a nearby wholesale operator who shared video footage from the wholesale's CCTV system. Johnson was seen on camera using a knife to gain access to the stall and removing the items. That same day, Johnson was seen walking in the area and was chased and captured by the complainant. He was then handed over to police.

When he appeared before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montaque, Johnson said he was hungry.

"I live on the streets and I was passing and looking around for food, Your Honour, and I see the crates. Some of them are spoiled and some of them are not, so I pick them up and take out the good ones," Johnson told the court. He said that he has been on the streets for 18 years and is seeking help to end his addiction to crack cocaine.

"I need to get you cleaned up, then. I can't let you out just yet," the judge said. She then asked the defendant how he was introduced to the illicit drug.

"It's by tricking, Your Honour. Somebody gave me a spliff to draw and it was seasoned," he told the judge. Cole-Montaque then requested a social enquiry report and that his criminal records be made available for the next court date. Johnson was further remanded until June 2. He is expected to be sentenced then.