A labourer accused of stealing jewellery worth over $1.2 million from his employer was yesterday released on self-bail after he told the court that he has no relatives to help him pay the bail he was initially granted.
Allistair Shaw appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Five and pleaded not guilty to the larceny charge that was read to him. It is alleged that on September 20th at Stanley Place, Kitty, Shaw stole a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery valued $1,230,000 from the dwelling house of Bibi Khan.
Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummel objected to bail being granted citing the prevalence and nature of the offence. She said that on the day in question, Khan left Shaw alone at her residence to clean the home. However, upon returning to the house, she discovered a quantity of her jewellery missing.
In court, Shaw repeatedly denied the allegation and told the magistrate that Khan’s son was with him during the time. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $50,000. However, he begged the magistrate for the amount to be reduced saying that he has no family or relatives to help him.
The magistrate was reluctant to reduce the bail saying that she can “already see the headlines tomorrow.” She added that reducing bail would encourage other persons to tell similar stories so that they can be granted bail.
However, despite objections by the prosecutor, Shaw, with the help of attorney Adrian Thompson, was released on self-bail with the condition that he reports to the Kitty Police Station every Friday at 5 pm. The matter was subsequently transferred to another court.
