A man accused of stealing a student's cellphone at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus recently, is to get psychiatric help after attending court yesterday.

Police say Duane Rankine, 21, was sitting at a table with the complainant on campus, but the complainant's phone was discovered missing after Rankine left.

A report was made to the police and he was picked up shortly after. The phone was found in his pocket and he was subsequently charged for theft.

Rankine's mother, who accompanied him to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, told those present that her son has not been in the best mental health since he started abusing drugs.

drug abuse

She told the court that Rankine went out one night and was ill for two weeks. A subsequent medical check revealed evidence of cocaine use, which has since contributed to the decline in his mental health.

Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown referred the case to the Drug Court for October 8. He said that the court would see to the further testing of Rankine and then try to assist his mother accordingly.