A hairdresser who had done a work-study stint at a salon  allegedly broke and entered the place and stole several pieces of hair-care equipment. She and the person who reportedly bought the stolen items were both granted bail when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Nineteen-year-old Nickita Fraser of 44 Norton Street, Lodge pleaded not guilty to break and enter and larceny while Dianne Benjamin, 20, pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen items from Fraser, knowing same to have been unlawfully obtained, when the charges were read to them by Magistrate Robertson.

It is alleged that between September 19 and 20, Fraser broke and entered Askaley Personal Image salon and stole several items of hair-care equipment and a quantity of cash totaling $97,500. It is also alleged that during that month Benjamin received $87,000 worth of the stolen items.

Askaley Pollard who was present in court stated that Fraser had been on work-study at her salon for some time and  on September 19 she secured her salon and left to go home. She said that when she opened up the salon the following day she discovered that the items mentioned in the charge were missing. She said from information received Fraser allegedly sold the items to a friend. Pollard said that she made a report to the police station and Fraser was later arrested. She said that Fraser later took the police to Benjamin’s residence where some of the items were recovered.

Pollard further stated that Fraser should be denied bail because it was a premeditated act and she might continue such acts if released.
However Fraser stated that she never stole anything but another staff member did.  Benjamin stated that she was not aware that the items were stolen but she received a call from Fraser who told her that she had bought some items from a guy and she was selling them at reasonable prices. Benjamin said further that she bought some of the items for $36,000 and Fraser later called her to say that if she was ever asked where she got the items, she should not say it was from her.

Magistrate Robertson granted Fraser bail in the sum of $80,000 while Benjamin was put on $50,000 bail. The two were ordered to appear again in court on October 29.