A man who stole a box of money for underprivileged people from the mosque he attended was jailed for six months yesterday. Devon Matthews, 25, told the court he was homeless and suffered from sickle cell disease. Police recovered the box, which was produced in the San Fernando First Magistrates Court yesterday. However, the money—$2,500—was not recovered. The theft took place at the San Fernando Jama Masjid at 68 Mucurapo Street, San Fernando. When the charge was read to him, Matthews pleaded guilty and said: “Don’t get it wrong. Every day I have to get an injection. I have sickle cell.” Prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said around 5 am on Friday, Willan Dyette saw the box, also known as the zakaat box, valued at $200, in the female section of the mosque.
However, around 10.30 am he realised it was missing. Matthews was subsequently arrested. At the San Fernando Police Station, Matthews told the police complainant, PC Ramkissoon: “Officer, I really take the money and the box from the mosque because I was owing some fellas in Princes Town for ganja.” Matthews told Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington he was sorry. “I tell you I cannot change what I do. I am sorry,” he added. He said he had been going through a difficult time over the last year and had lost his home and job. Asked what he did with the money, Matthews said: “I pay off two fellas in Princes Town. They always running me down with a gun.” Matthews was also charged with possession of marijuana but that matter was transferred to the Princes Town Magistrates Court for tomorrow.