Oswald Banes, accused of breaking into the storage bond of his former employer and stealing a quantity of copper and aluminium, was on Thursday granted $100,000 bail by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
It is alleged that Banes, on February 23, at Georgetown, broke and entered the bond of Nazim Pashaw and stole therein 50 lbs of copper and 325 lbs of aluminium, valued $159,750. Banes, a labourer, of 366 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, denied the charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Police Corporal Venetta Pindar told the court that on the said day Pashaw, a scrap metal dealer, was awakened by sounds coming from his bond. On checking, he saw the accused scampering off with the items stated in the charge. An alarm was raised and police were summoned. Banes was later arrested.
When given a chance to respond, Banes told the court that he was innocent. He said he once worked for the complainant and because he ceased to render his service, Pashaw became annoyed and fabricated the allegation against him.
The prosecution objected to Banes being granted bail as he had not provided the police with a fixed address and upon his arrest said that “he doesn’t live anywhere.” At this point, the Magistrate asked the accused for his address and he said, “366 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.”
The Magistrate told Banes that she was granting him bail on the condition that he reports to Constable Hubert at the Brickdam Police Station on Mondays and Fridays at 9am.
