An eighteen-year-old was yesterday placed on $150,000 bail after he made a court appearance on charges of larceny and escaping custody.
It is alleged that on July 24, Leon Wilburg stole a gold chain valued $90,000 from Nikita Damon in the vicinity of D’Urban and Smyth streets, Werk-en-Rust. It is further alleged that on August 8, whilst in police custody for the matter of larceny, the defendant escaped from the corporal in whose charge he had been placed.
Wilburg, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty to both allegations and proceeded to inform the court of his innocence. “I didn’t do it,” the defendant stated plainly, going on to implicate his cousin, who he said was the one responsible for the crime.
In relation to the escape charge, the accused told the court that he was given the key to the handcuffs, asking how it could be termed an escape if he was provided with the means to leave.
The case prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the defendant, citing the seriousness of the charge. She also alleged that Wilburg had picked the handcuffs he was placed in before making his escape, a clear indication that if granted bail, the defendant would not return for trial.
Nevertheless, Magistrate Fabayo Azore placed Wilburg on $50,000 bail on the escape charge and $100,000 bail on the charge of larceny. The matter has been adjourned to October 9, when it will be recalled in Court 2.
