Vendor arrested after taking shelter in PM’s office

A St James man who admitted to breaking into the western premises of the Office of the Prime Minister to get shelter from the rain was admonished and discharged when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Anthony Bingham, a 32-year-old porridge vendor of a Paradise Crescent, Norwood, address, pleaded guilty to office breaking when he appeared before presiding Parish Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton. The court was told that on June 18, the police were called to the premises, located along Delisser Drive in Montego Bay, after unauthorised movement was spotted at the location through a security camera system. It was subsequently discovered that a side window had been opened, and Bingham was soon found lying down inside a room.

"I am guilty of trespassing and sleeping, Ma'am. I am guilty of trespassing on the compound and going to sleep," Bingham said while entering his plea.

"Why did you do that, Mr Bingham?" asked Fairclough-Hylton.

"Miss, I had an injury on my foot, and rain did catch me on that day. The window was left open," Bingham replied.

Attorney Kimeka Peterkin spoke on Bingham's behalf during his sentencing hearing.

"Mr Bingham understands the seriousness of this offence, and he is very remorseful about where he has found himself. He has spent some time in the lock-up, and in light of the time he has spent in custody [since June 18], we are asking you to take that into consideration...," said Peterkin. Fairclough-Hylton agreed, admonished and discharged Bingham, before allowing him to leave the courtroom.