Driver put car to own use instead of operating it as taxi – court told

A 34-year-old man accused of converting a car to his own use after being entrusted with it to operate a taxi service was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $300,000 when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

The allegation is that on August 31 at Georgetown, Clive Smith of 22 Norton Street Werk-en-Rust, being entrusted with a car valued $2.5 million to work as taxi, property of Mohamed Ally, converted it to his own use.

The taxi driver pleaded not guilty to the charge of fraudulent conversion when it was read to him by the acting chief magistrate.

Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry who represented the defendant told the court that his client is unfortunately the victim of a theft. According to Henry his client who was indeed given the car by the virtual complainant to operate as a taxi, parked the vehicle, went to run an errand and upon his return realised that the car was missing.

“My worship, my client is simply the victim of a theft. After the car was stolen he decided to make a report to the police station and he was later arrested for fraudulent conversion instead,” Henry said.

The attorney then made an application that his client be admitted to reasonable bail on the grounds that he has no antecedents, has a fixed address, poses no risk of flight and has been in full cooperation with the police in their investigations. When given a chance to respond, the virtual complainant told the court that on the day in question, the accused was given the car to be taken to the New York car wash located on Camp Street and he never returned with the vehicle or said anything as to what may have happened to it.

Prosecutor Stephen Telford had no objections to the bail application made by the attorney and told the court that the prosecution has completed its investigations and already sought the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The car has been recovered.

The defendant was later granted bail in the sum of $300,000. His matter was transferred to Court Three for statements on October 28.