A janitor accused of stealing a quantity of US currency from a friend was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $75,000, after pleading not guilty to a charge of simple larceny.
Lillamattie Chand, 57, of 56 South Turkeyen, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It was alleged that she stole US$1,900 ($380,000) from Bibi Shamina Shadik.
It was alleged that Chand committed the offence on December 16, at East Street, Georgetown.
Giving the facts of the case, Prosecutor Stephen Telford told the court that the accused and virtual complainant are known to each other and Chand frequented Shadik’s home. According to Telford, on the day in question, Shadik had left her home and given her house key to Chand’s brother, with whom she is also acquainted. The court then heard that Chand took the key from her brother and entered the complainant’s home, removing the items mentioned in the charge.
After hearing the prosecution’s case, the magistrate advanced that it could have been the defendant’s brother who had taken away the money. While conceding that it could have been possible, Telford said that based on information received and investigations conducted by the police, the woman was taken into custody instead.
Chand, after being granted bail, was ordered to return to court on January 13 for statements.
