A 34-year-old man facing a multi-million dollar larceny charge was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $250,000 when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation against Rocky Boodhoo, called ‘Bat’, is that on July 5 at Water Front, Port Kaituma, he stole one haversack valued $2,000 and $700,000 belonging to Melanie Raynab.
He is also alleged to have stolen 17 ounces of smelted gold valued $4.9M, belonging to Raynab and Orlene David.
The accused was not required to plead to the indictable simple larceny charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.
Attorney James Bond who represented the accused described the case as an interesting one, stating that the only information the police had in relation to making an arrest was that, “a fine Indian man wearing a white T-shirt” was said to have been seen with the haversack containing the items.
The lawyer contended that there were many persons fitting that description on the day in question but since the police could not get hold of those other persons, his client was arrested and charged.
In addition, Bond argued that his client was wearing a grey vest on the day in question.
Counsel said that Raynab and his client are known to each other as they hang out together and she would normally stay at his house whenever she comes out of the backdam.
He said that she would usually leave her bag containing millions of dollar lying around and it would be his client who would normally secure it.
Bond related to the court that on the day in question, Raynab had just finished “sporting and was under the influence of alcohol,” when she was heading into the backdam again.
While on her journey, Bond said that the woman remembered that she had left her bag at the butcher shop where she, the accused and a number of other persons were all sporting.
Upon her return to the hangout spot, the lawyer told the court that the woman asked his client’s assistance in helping her to locate the bag and he agreed. After coming up empty handed, the court heard from the lawyer that his client then suggested to the woman that they report the matter to the police station which they did.
As the police were investigating the matter, Bond said that the lawmen were told by persons with whom the virtual complainant (VC) was drinking earlier that they saw “a fine Indian man wearing a white T-shirt,” leaving the premises with the bag.
The lawyer argued that a number of other persons with that description were drinking with the VC on the day in question as well.
When asked by the presiding magistrate if the facts in the prosecution’s case were the same as of the defence, Police Corporal Simone Payne responded in the affirmative.
After listening to the case, the spray painter and father of two who resides at Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma, was then told that he would be admitted to $250,000 bail.
The matter will be called again on July 27 for report and fixture.
