“I use to be a trunker [thief who specializes in stealing from vehicles] but I didn’t commit this offence,” stated Richard Craignan, who was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court accused of breaking a policeman’s car window and stealing his cell phone.

Craignan, a 27-year-old father of six, of Lot 66 Broad Street, pleaded not guilty to the charges of damage to property and simple larceny when Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson read them to him.

He denied that on June 9  he unlawfully damaged Police Corporal Anthony Alexander’s car window valued $15,000 and stole his cell phone valued $35,000.

Craignan said he had evidence to show the court that he did not commit the offence. He said that although he had brushes with the law recently he was innocent of the current charges.

Alexander, who was also present in court, said that on the day in question he had just disembarked his car when a taxi drove up next to him with Craignan inside.

“I had a good look at him [Craignan],” Alexander said.
He went on to say that he locked the car doors and went a short distance away to make a phone call as he was returning Craignan drove away and when he made checks to the car he discovered the window broken and his cell phone missing.

Prosecutor Denise Griffith objected to Craignan’s bail application on the grounds that he was not a first offender and in fact he had appeared several times before the court on over ten charges that are similar to the present ones.

She argued that Craignan may continue to commit such offences if released.
The magistrate subsequently ordered that Craignan be remanded to prison and transferred the case to Court Two for July 3.