Gladstone Johnson, called ‘Schoolboy’, and Antonio Osborne, called ‘Bracka’, both pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering the shop of Sharon Lord between February 16-17 at 111 Miles, Mahdia and stealing nine pairs of Brazilian long boots valued $63,000, two carpets valued $16,000, one baby’s bed valued $5,000 and one power generator valued $45,000, a total value of $129,000.
Johnson, 40, of 2241 North Ruimveldt denied stealing anything. In his defence, he told the court that he is a porter in the interior and he was held against his will for some four days and beaten. He said he managed to escape and went to Mahdia to report the matter to the police.
Johnson also said that he was given a medical certificate by an officer and when he returned to the station he was held for the current charge. He added that he knows no one in Mahdia.
Osborne, 42, of 111 Miles Mahdia declined to say anything.
Police Prosecutor Inspector Stephen Telford told the court that a witness had seen both defendants committing the act at 3 am.
The men are to return to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on April 21.
