Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

A 26-year-old who stole a Lexus motor car, which he took for a test-drive, was handed a one-year prison term, suspended for two years, in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday.

"If you want a Lexus, you must work and buy it yourself and stop interfering with people's property," RM Winsome Henry told Derron Clarke before handing down the ruling.

Clarke, who is also known as 'Adrian Watkis', was given the suspended sentence after Clarke's mother compensated the complainant, whose vehicle was damaged, to the tune of $153,000.

The judge told Clarke, who had been languishing in custody for the past nine months, that he needed to work to repay his mother.

"I am giving you a chance. Now it is up to you to decide whether or not you go to prison," RM Henry added.

The court heared that on June 27, Clarke told the complainant that he was interested in buying the vehicle, which was being sold for $850,000.

They met that same day at the Fairview Shopping Centre in Montego Bay for an exchange to be made.

The complainant informed Clarke that he had the title for the vehicle at home and agreed to let the accused test-drive the car to the premises for the document.

When they got to the house, the complainant stepped out of the car to retrieve the document and Clarke allegedly drove away.

On July 26, the complainant saw Clarke and called out to him, but he allegedly ran away. He gave chase and held on to Clarke at Sam Sharpe Square, where he was subsequently arrested by police on patrol in the area.

The car was retrieved in St. Mary two days later.