By Monique Washington
Former supervisor of SLH Horsfords& Company LTD in Nevis, Wendy Broadbelt was fined $2,000 after selling goods for the company and not placing over $5,000 in the company’s cashdrawer.
On Tuesday, Broadbelt appeared before Magistrate Yasmine Clarke at the Magistrate Court in Charlestown and pled guilty to two counts of stealing from her former employer. The 30-year-old woman was represented by attorney John Cato.
According to the facts presented in court by Police ProsecutorInspector Eurita Collins-Percival, on July 10, 2015, Broadblet, who was the Furniture Department supervisor, sold items worth $500 and claimed only $105 into the company’s income system. On July 23, 2015,Broadbelt sold items worth US $1,400 or EC$3,780,but this time neverlogged the transaction.
Braodbelt went on vacation a short timelater and during that time, company managers noticed that monies were missing.When she returned to work she was asked about the money. She told her boss that she had placed the money in a “filing cabinet” and someone must have taken the money. The police were called in and an investigation was conducted.Broadbelt was arrested and charged with stealing.
Attorney Cato,in addressing the court, noted that his client did not waste the court’s time, pled guilty and that at the time of the incident was having financial problems. He pointed out that Broadbelt admitted to her mistake and has suffered the consequences.
Cato asked the court for mercy when handing down the sentence
“We are asking that you extend mercy and be lenient,” Cato said. “She knows that she has betrayed trust but please do notgive her a sentence that will last forever.”
Magistrate Clarke convicted and fined Broadblet $1,000 on each charge, stealing from the company on July 10;and stealing from the company on July 23. The fines must be paid in six months, or Broadbelt will face six months in her Majesty’s Prison in St. Kitts.
