A city taxi driver was yesterday granted his release on $800,000 bail after he denied causing of death of a man along Mandela Avenue.
The courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan heard that on January 24th, at Mandela Avenue, Noel De Freitas, 54, of Kitty, drove HC 4295 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Maurice Nurse.
De Freitas, who police say was speeding, pleaded not guilty.
De Freitas’ lawyer, who asked for bail, told the court that his client is not a flight risk and is a family man. The lawyer said that after the accident De Freitas got out of his car and rendered assistance to Nurse. He said that his client was always cooperative to the police during the investigation and would continue to cooperate with them.
However, police prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail, while emphasising that a man had lost his life. According to Jones, at the time of the accident De Freitas was driving at a fast rate, making his way east along the public road when he collided into the pedestrian. The prosecutor explained that the damages observed by traffic ranks on De Freitas’ car indicated that he was speeding.
Jones told the court that the police file is incomplete since the post-mortem report is outstanding.
As a result, Chief Magistrate McLennan granted the accused his release on $800,000 bail. De Freitas’ driver’s licence was also suspended by the magistrate until outcome of trial. The case was adjourned until February 13th.
