A 20-year-old chain-snatching accused, who said that the complainant’s jewellery fell off when the man got into a fight with him, was remanded to prison yesterday after he spun his tale in court.

Devon Nicholas of Phase Two, East La Penitence pleaded not guilty to a charge of larceny from the person when he appeared before Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on Monday, Nicholas robbed Nanan Blair of one silver chain and two rings valued $4,500. The court was told that Blair was walking in the East La Penitence area when the accused reportedly approached him from behind and snatched the silver chain, which had two rings attached to it, from around his neck and ran away. An alarm was raised and Nicholas was pursued and captured by public-spirited citizens. A passing police patrol stopped and took Nicholas into custody.

Nicholas, who was unrepresented in court, said in his defence that he had known Blair for quite a number of years. He said he was speaking to Blair on Monday, when the man somehow got the idea that he wanted to rob him. Nicholas added that Blair began fighting with him and in the process the silver chain burst and fell off his neck. The two rings, which were on the chain, also fell off, he said.

Blair, who was also present, told the court he was not acquainted with Nicholas and had never even seen him before. He explained that while he was walking in the East La Penitence area, the defendant snatched his silver chain with the two rings.

Nicholas will return to Court Two on January 25.