A 24-year-old woman was yesterday refused bail when she appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to answer to two counts of larceny from a dwelling house.
It is alleged that on May 18 at Georgetown, Natasha Moses of 15 River View, Ruimveldt stole from the dwelling house of Jennifer Baichoo one cell phone valued $70,000, property of the said Jennifer Baichoo. On March 21 also, Moses allegedly stole from the dwelling house of Anil Soodoo, one cell phone valued $40,000, property of the said Anil Soodoo. She pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.
Baichoo explained to the court that Moses, who is her neighbour, had gone to her (Baichoo’s) yard to fetch water and had ventured into the house. “My Worship, she come to fetch water in meh yard and come in de house. She ask me fuh $500 fuh borrow an ah tell she me aint get, all duh time meh phone went in meh house on meh table.”
Baichoo further explained that while doing her chores, she realised her phone was missing and when questioned about it, Moses denied knowing anything about it. According to the virtual complainant, it was at this point that she decided to make a report at the police station. Upon her return from the station, Baichoo said that Moses approached her with the phone stating that she had found it at the pipe and the phone is old.
Soodoo, who also said that the defendant is his neighbour, told the court that on the day in question, Moses visited his home and he noticed her removing his cell phone from his television set. He said as he was approaching her to question her about the phone, she just walked away and left his home. “My Worship, after I see she pick up de phone, I guh calling out to she fuh ask fuh me phone an she just walk away.”
Soodoo said that he then decided to make a report at the police station. He said that after returning from the station, he settled the matter with the defendant since she made a commitment to return his cell phone or give him monetary compensation. Subsequent to this arrangement, however, the defendant’s brother approached him and dealt him a blow to his eye and still he hadn’t gotten back his phone.
Attorney-at-law Peter Hugh who represented the defendant made an application for bail to be granted in a reasonable sum on the grounds that his client had no previous conviction, posed no risk of flight and had cooperated with the police in their investigations.
Moses was subsequently refused bail. She has to return to court on May 25 for statement.