Georgetown, Guyana – A 47-year-old homeless man was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to simple larceny involving the theft of two SUV side mirrors. The sentencing took place at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court last week, with Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty presiding over the case.

The accused, Eon Paul, admitted to stealing two Toyota Harrier side mirrors valued at $141,360 on March 26 from a vehicle parked on Hogg Street, Albouystown. Paul told the court that he committed the theft in an attempt to raise money for his birth certificate and identification card, which he needed to qualify for a $100,000 government cash grant.

During his testimony, Paul explained that he noticed the mirrors on the parked vehicle and decided to take them. However, upon realizing that the mirrors were marked, he discarded them in a nearby bin. “I throw it in the bin cause once it’s marked, it’s no good,” Paul told the court.

The victim, Caroline Hicks, was absent from court proceedings, but her husband provided testimony about the incident. He stated that he had parked the vehicle on Independence Boulevard around 7:00 a.m. and returned two hours later to find the mirrors missing. Surveillance footage obtained from a local businessman showed a man matching Paul’s description removing the mirrors from the vehicle.

The prosecution revealed that Paul had a prior criminal history, including charges of breaking and entering in 2010 and simple larceny in 2018. In light of these previous offenses and his guilty plea, Magistrate McGusty sentenced him to two years in prison.

Paul’s sentencing highlights ongoing concerns about homelessness and crime in Georgetown. While his actions were criminally punishable, they also reflect broader societal challenges such as poverty and lack of access to essential documentation for government assistance programs.