Tonight, a 26-year-old man from Belize City has been convicted of the theft of his cousin's sex toy - it's worth $120 dollars, but it's going to cost the call centre employee 12 times that with a $1,500.00 fine.
In the report against him, Escalante's cousin claimed that he'd told her he could find a buyer for the item but additionally claimed that she hadn't given him permission to take it. She later claimed that it was only when she found an online buyer that she realized the item was missing and reported it stolen.
Escalante initially pleaded not guilty to theft despite being offered bail in the sum of $600, which he was not able to post until after a week of imprisonment.
Today when he appeared in the court of newly minted Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola, Escalante, who is a first-time offender was fined $1,500 plus a $5.00 cost of court for his guilty plea.
He was given until June 30, 2023, to pay, and in default, he will serve 6 months imprisonment.
