The police have arrested and charged two individuals for a burglary at the business place of Chinese Huang Rung Teh of Canefield between November 28-30, 2021.
Shanika “Speedy” Pollock, a mother of seven children from Castle Comfort appeared before the court on a charge of “handling stolen goods”.
Court documents state that the items include a Samsung phone, gold ring, gold chain, and gold bracelets all at a total value of EC$11,896.00.
The prosecution did not object to bail and the court set bail at $20,000.00 with one proper surety.
Attorney at law Joshua Francis appeared amicus on behalf of Pollock in the matter and pleaded with the court to grant her bail in her own recognizance.
“She has a four-year-old daughter to care for, she is also working on changing her lifestyle, I am pleading with the court to grant her bail on humanitarian grounds,” he told the court.
But the prosecution objected stating that “bail was open” but it must be done with a fit and proper surety.
In response, Magistrate Hansel Valerie stated that bail is a “right” and “not a favour” and it was heartbreaking to see an individual before the court and seek to touch a heart.
“A reasonable person would be very careful as they how they move knowing that they have people who are heavily dependent on them. The court is reluctant to grant bail to individuals on indictable matters without strict conditions and at least one suitable proper surety,” he said.
Francis gave the court the undertaking that he will try his best to seek help in getting someone suitable to be surety for Pollock. The matter was adjourned on March 25, 2022.
In the other matter, Clinton Austrie of Carib Territory was charged with burglary at the place of Huang Rung Teh of Canefield between November 28-30, 2021.
It is alleged that he stole cash and jewelry totaling $16,692.42. The prosecution did not object to bail but Austrie told the court he had no one to bail him. The matter was set for March 25, 2022. Austrie was placed on remand until he gets a suitable surety.