Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry granted $10,000 bail to a 29-year-old man accused of stealing a lamp from his father’s car, when he was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Rakesh Sawh denied that on July 4 at Georgetown he stole one car lamp valued at $12,000, property of Rakesh Sawh Sr, his father. The elder Sawh lamented to the court that his son has caused him and his mother a lot of trouble, saying that he is a drug addict. The man and his wife who were both in court, pleaded with the magistrate to order rehabilitation services for the man.
The unrepresented Sawh maintained his innocence saying that he has witnesses who can testify that he did not steal his father’s property. However, his father insisted that his son had stolen the lamp.
The matter had to be stood down at one point and the parties ordered by the court to sit and compose themselves as they constantly argued with each other and disturbed the proceedings.
When asked for his address, the defendant said that he resided with his parents but that they had put him out of the house since the incident and as a result he has been living around the Stabroek Market area where he can access food.
Asked for an alternative address to where he can move pending the determination of the matter, the young man provided a Lot 61 Cummings Street, Georgetown address, stating that his aunt lives there.
When asked his occupation, the defendant said that he would be able to work if only his parents would return his driver’s licence to him. He added however that he is a mechanic.
The elder Sawh’s insistent interruptions while his son spoke caused him to be ordered out of the courtroom. The magistrate then informed the defendant’s mother that she cannot make the order that she requested until sentencing, if and when that time comes. She further cautioned that the case before the court is a criminal charge of simple larceny with which the court is dealing.
After hearing the case, Sawh was initially informed that he would be placed on $25,000 bail. After explaining that he could only afford to pay $10,000, it was reduced to this amount.
The matter continues today.
