In an effort to clamp down on idle theft, one man will be spending the next 6 months in prison for stealing a gas cylinder.

Twenty-two-year-old Jahshanie James despite begging a Magistrate earlier this week was on the receiving end of the adjudicator’s frustration with thieves.

The Magistrate had seen at least one other case that same week for theft of the same item.

James committed the offence on June 20 when he went to a woman’s Browne’s Avenue home.

According to him, he carried the tank on his back and took it to Gray’s Farm.

When the victim reported the matter, the police moved into action and found the defendant in Gray’s Farm with another man. The defendant showed the police where the tank was placed and they were both arrested and charged.

Both men pleaded guilty to the crime but James told the court that he stole the item on his very own.

His co-accused was then made to walk free but the defendant who is said to have a record, was sent to prison.

But James will be back in court in August with his co-accused, Ritnaldo Isaac for three counts of threatening language each.

The two apparently cursed and threatened to hurt the police officers who arrested them.

They pleaded not guilty however and will stand trial on August 17.