Magistrate Nigel Hawke granted $70,000 bail to a father of five accused of stealing two truck batteries from another man.

Thirty-five-year-old Shelton Douglas of 60 Church Street, Stanleytown, pleaded not guilty to the charge of simple larceny when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on October 23, Douglas stole two truck batteries worth $60,000 from Henry Jaisingh.
Douglas’ lawyer told the court that Jaisingh had tormented his client in the past and that the accusation stemmed from this grievance. He also alleged that Jaisingh had beaten his client; inflicting the abrasions and swollen eye that Douglas displayed at court.

However, the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that Douglas was detained by public-spirited citizens who allegedly saw him in the act. The man was allegedly attempting to flee the scene when residents apprehended him.

The prosecution said Douglas suffered the injuries during the residents’ attempts to capture him. The prosecution then submitted that Douglas was handed over to police and the items were recovered. Further, the prosecution said that Douglas was charged with a previous offence, has no fixed address and might not return to court.

Douglas was ordered to appear at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on November 24.