Homeless man helped by Good Samaritan going to jail for stealing TV from hotel

A 24-year-old homeless man who repaid the kindness of a good Samaritan who provided a night’s lodgings for him at the Delta Prince Edward by stealing a hotel TV is headed for jail.

Kelson Wade Jamieson was sentenced Tuesday in provincial court to serve upwards of six months in jail for a series of charges that included multiple thefts, breach of probation and failure to attend court.

Chief Judge John Douglas sentenced Jamieson to 45 days in jail for stealing the television from the Delta hotel.

He sentenced the accused to 30 days for stealing an ornamental fern from Critters pet store.

Stealing a suitcase from the Bentley store at the Charlottetown Mall added another 30-day sentence.

Jamieson was sentenced to another 45 days in jail for stealing the $200 cash float from another business.

Breaching probation by failing to report to a probation officer added 30 days.

Failing to attend court added another 15 days.

Sentence was suspended on another charge due to time spent in custody on remand.

Upon his release from custody, Jamieson will be on probation.

The court was told Jamieson has had difficulty addressing his addictions.

At the time he stole the flat-screen television from the Delta Prince Edward, he said he was drunk.

The good Samaritan who paid for Jamieson’s lodgings got stuck with a bill for the TV.

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Jamieson has a lengthy criminal record with multiple prior convictions for theft as well as possession of stolen property.

Could be any of us homeless: - March 14, 2013 at 14:26:49

Many people are homeless for a variety of reasons. It is not all cut and dry. We all run a chance of becoming homeless, thank your lucky stars if you are healthy, have a job are not poor,, are not mentally ill or physically ill, have support systems, are not being or have been abused,or have an addiction. Gerry has made some good points. Kindness and compassion and empathy are free and freeing.

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Freddie: - March 14, 2013 at 13:30:41

Lets face it , we Islanders love our dirty laundry.We need dirty laundry to keep us feeling good about ourselves.

Donnie: - March 14, 2013 at 11:17:40

Wow, I feel better already! My taxes are helping him out by giving him free room & board! Plus, he won't be able to steal the TV in Sleepy Hollow, although it's easier to sneak out of than the Delta!

don: - March 14, 2013 at 11:13:14

just what he wanted a place to stay free meals heat. why not jail plus working 8 hours a day while in jail cleaning up yards etc.

that's gotta leave a mark: - March 14, 2013 at 10:56:42

Man, ya gotta wonder where your life's going when you give the street bums a bad name. But I don't know, given Mr. Jeff Harding's compassion for others, who am I to judge and condemn Kelson Wade Jamieson? Well, maybe it ain't expressed in The Good Book quite this way, but I think I'll just have to work on my own crap before I crap on others. Yeah,at least that makes me feel a bit better, and it can't make things any worse, eh?

Ashley: - March 14, 2013 at 10:43:26

Looks like this good Samaritan gave this homeless man much more than just one night of shelter... bet he didn't see that coming.

TARANTAU: - March 14, 2013 at 10:28:29

This brings to mind the pan handlers that position themselves at the foot of the Hillborough Bridge off Riverside Drive.They're all young & fit enough walk the divider for hours on end mooching money from driver's who are stopped and at the red light so here's an idea ... why not apply the same determination and try to GET A JOB.Know doubt all you bleeding hearts have the answer.

Gerry: - March 14, 2013 at 10:27:59

Obviously, jail is not a deterrent to an addict. Would it not be a less costly and life saving measure to incarcerate addicts in a treatment facility, versus the repetitive, exorbitant; and accumulative work hours process which revolves around the legal system? How is an addict's disease, and its' requirement for medical treatment, any different than the affliction of mental illness? Both diseases require intervention and professional treatment. If society is hell bent on locking up people with apparent illnesses/diseases, which are perceived as a threat, where do we draw the line on what consitutes jail time as opposed to professional assistance? Time to make a decision.