A trader, who claimed he accepted a BlackBerry Torch smartphone as collateral from a man who owed him money, yesterday found himself answering a charge of receiving stolen property.
Cleveland Singh, 49, of 559 Penny Lane South Ruimveldt, refuted the prosecution’s assertion that he received the stolen BlackBerry Torch, valued at $60,000, which was the property of Bibi Ismael, knowing same to be stolen.
Singh told the court that he had no knowledge that the phone was stolen. He said, he was given the phone as collateral from a man who owes him money, at Stabroek, where he conducts his business.
Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that his client was owed $43,000 and was handed the phone, until his money could be returned. He further stated that on the day in question, the phone was traced to his daughter’s school. She had been using the phone.
With no objection from prosecutor Collin Primus, Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond set bail for Singh at $20,000.
The case was adjourned until April 9, for trial.
