Calvin Francis, accused of stealing a pig, yesterday told a city court that he found the animal on the road and decided to sell it.
However, his explanation was not convincing enough to sway the Chief Magistrate to grant him his pre-trial release on a simple larceny charge.
Francis, of 73 Princes Street, Lodge, was charged with stealing the pig, valued $65,000, from Jean Bacchus on February 10.
According to Prosecutor Michael Grant, Bacchus had gone to feed the animal when she discovered it had gone missing from its locked pen. Grant added that the matter was reported and information was received that the defendant had been seen by someone taking the pig from the pen.
Acting on this information, Francis was arrested and charged.
However, the man presented a much different version of the events. According to him, he had been going home when he saw an injured pig on the road. He decided to pick it up and carry it to the market where he sold it, he said. The next day, he added, Bacchus, who accused him of stealing the animal, approached him. However, he said she had no idea where he had gotten the pig.
When asked by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry whether he had ever been convicted, the labourer admitted that he had spent 18 months in prison on a simple larceny charge.
Prosecutor Grant objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence as his reason.
After being remanded, Francis tried to change his plea to guilty. However, his explanation of the events did not permit a plea change and the not guilty plea was maintained.
He will make another court appearance on March 3.
