The theft trial of a former cashier at the Department of Inland Revenue has ended in a plea deal.

Breanna Symonette, of Dundas Town, Abaco, admitted on Friday to stealing nearly $50,000 in value-added tax (VAT) and business licensing fees from the department's Abaco office.

Prosecutors say that Symonette stole $49,025.93 between February 23, 2018 and June 21, 2018, and attempted to cover up the theft by not inputting all of the money collected into the system.

Symonette pleaded guilty to stealing by reason of employment and falsification of accounts when Magistrate Samuel McKinney re-read the charges.

The plea deal requires Symonette to repay the stolen cash in installments. She will make an initial payment of $5,000 on July 19 and a second payment of $5,000 on August 21.

Then, beginning on September 22, Symonette will make monthly payments of $500 until restitution is fully made.

Additionally, Symonette has to pay a $10,000 fine to avoid spending two years in prison.

She was also sentenced to two years of probation, beginning May 26. If she is convicted of any criminal offenses during the period of probation, Symonette will be sentenced to two years in prison.

Attorney Patrick Sweeting was the prosecutor.

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Police have issued a road safety advisory in the wake of a series of recent fatal accidents and traffic mishaps in the capital.

Police have advised motorists to adhere to the rules and regulations that govern the streets, including traffic signals, not drinking while driving, not using cell phones while driving  and not driving in excess of the speed limit.

Two fatal accidents were recorded in the capital last Friday. The first incident occurred around  3:30 pm on Friday May 26th, 2023 and involved a white Daihatsu Mira driven by the female and white flatbed truck, driven by a male 

Preliminary reports revealed that the Daihatsu Mira was traveling east along Prince Charles Drive, and the white flatbed truck, west along Prince Charles Drive, when the two collided. Subsequently, the driver of the truck lost control and collided into a utility pole and a vehicle, which was parked on the southern side of the street. 

Both drivers were injured during the accident; however, the female received serious injuries and succumbed on the scene.

The second traffic fatality to occur last Friday also claimed the life of a female driver. The incident reportedly occurred around 11:15pm at the intersection of McKinney and Johnson Avenue, Stapledon Gardens and involved a black GMC Canyon truck and a silver Nissan Cube. 

Preliminary reports revealed that the GMC Canyon, which was being driven by a male was traveling south along Johnstone Avenue, and the silver Nissan Cube, which was driven by the female, was traveling west along McKinney Avenue when the two collided. 

Both drivers were injured during the accident; however, the female received serious injuries and succumbed on the scene.

Police also reported that a serious accident occurred in the area of University Commons and Baillou Hill Road Sunday afternoon. The victims were all transported to hospital, however police have not provided an update on their conditions.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Ahead of the 2023 Budget Communication, the FNM leader says there are a number of key components needed to be considered.