Update | Man who broke into church in Portmore twice pleads guilty
Published:Tuesday | October 14, 2025 | 2:58 PM
The 39-year-old man who broke into a church in Portmore, St Catherine twice pleaded guilty today, telling the court that he fell on hard times following the passing of his parents.
Robert Barnett was remanded for sentencing on November 12 in the St Catherine Parish Court.
"It is because both of my parents dead and I got desperate, that is why I did it, and I am very sorry," Barnett told Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne.
The judge ordered a community report as well as an antecedent report ahead of sentencing.
Facts are that about 11:00 p.m. on September 13, 2025, Barnett broke into the Portmore Missionary Church and stole items and then left.
He again broke into the church on the night of September 24, where he was accosted and handed over to the police.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of sacrilege and one count of housebreaking with intent.
- Rasbert Turner
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.