A 24-year-old father of four was on Thursday placed on $30,000 bail for allegedly snatching a woman’s gold chain.

Seon De Souza of 107 Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It was alleged that on June 27, 2007, Donna Hollingsworth was on her way home from church when the accused snatched the chain from her neck at the bus park.

She told the court that the accused was known to her, since he was a vendor at the Stabroek Market. Hollingsworth said she saw the accused on America Street last Tuesday and asked him to repay her for the chain, which is valued at $50,000. She then took him to the City Constabulary Office, where the matter was taken to the Brickdam Police station.

De Souza told the court that he did not steal the chain and it was a case of mistaken identity. He told the magistrate that he was the sole provider for his children, and, as such, could not go to jail.

The matter is set to be called again on February 13 at Court Three.