False address foils bail for suspect in bike thefts

The accused in the theft of two bicycles was yesterday denied bail after he gave conflicting home addresses to the police and to the court.

Vijay Singh, also known as ‘Kumar Singh,’ was denied bail by Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of simple larceny.

It was alleged that on May 6, 2012, in Georgetown, Singh stole two bicycles belonging to Intiaz Roopnarine.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne said two boys left the bicycles, valued $16,000 each, at the back of their house and later discovered that they were missing. As a result, Roopnarine made a report to the Ruimveldt Police Station and Singh was later arrested and charged.

Singh had initially pleaded guilty to the charge but when given a chance to give an explanation for his actions, he stated that he was a known character in the area and everyone blamed him when things go wrong but he maintained that he did not steal the bicycles. The question of whether he stole the bicycles was put to him several times by the Magistrate and he stuck by his innocence, resulting in a not guilty plea being recorded on his behalf.

While Singh made an application for bail, the prosecution noted that he had given a false address to the police officers. When applying for bail, he gave another address to the court. As a result, bail was denied and Singh was remanded. The case will be called again in Court Ten on May 21.