Alleged church robbers ordered to attend worship service

A Kingston pair was yesterday ordered by Parish Judge Carlo Mason to attend the weekly worship services at the church they allegedly robbed of $250,000 worth of sacred items.

Kedeesha Swaby, 37, and Linnel Atkinson, 49, were before Mason in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to answer to the charge of sacrilege, which is theft or violation of something sacred. They were not yet entered a plea yesterday.

The court heard that on September 22, Swaby and Atkinson broke into the Church of God - Body of Christ Jamaica Conference, located at Windward Road, Kingston 2, and stole items valued at about $250,000. The pastor of the church said he was alerted by an alarm system installed at the place of worship.

Swaby was apprehended on the day of the incident while Atkinson was captured days after.

"I remember the days when even gunmen were afraid to turn their heads to a church. Now I am hearing that people have robbed the church. Pastor, you and I know the scripture 'The heart is deceitful above all things, who can know it'," Judge Mason said.

Atkinson was offered $150,000 bail with at least two sureties. As a condition of his bail, he is expected to attend the services of the church every Saturday. The same conditions were imposed on Swaby.

The judge ordered that the two accused "stay for the whole service".

"Don't worry Ms Swaby, they won't malice you. I'm sure they will give you a warm embrace," he said.

"I expect that pastor will make a report to satisfy the court," he added.

Swaby and Atkinson are represented by attorney-at-law Kerry-Ann Wilson and are to report to the police twice weekly.

The matter is set for mention on January 4, 2024.