No bail for accused in $1.5M theft

A man was yesterday remanded to prison after denying that he stole articles amounting to $1.5M from a British national.

The charge read by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court stated that on October 16, at Sheriff Street, Albert De Freitas, 49, of Lot 100 Leopold Street, stole a quantity of clothing, a cell phone and charger, two cameras and a British passport, among, other items amounting to $1,500,000, which were the property of Nicholas Barrage.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt objected to bail and stated that De Freitas was previously charged with attempted murder. He added that if granted bail, it is likely that he will not return for trial.

Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat made an application for reasonable bail to be granted to his client, whom he said is the owner of a clothing store.

When asked by Magistrate Latchman whether he had any pending matters or previous convictions, De Freitas stated that he was also charged with using threatening language to Barrage.

Bail was subsequently refused and he was remanded to prison until November 8, when the case will be called at Court Three.