Gold miner denies looting home

A 20-year-old gold miner who allegedly broke into a home and carted off close to $1.5 million in tools, household appliances and other articles was yesterday remanded to prison by Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.

An untidily dressed Lindon Flavius who has no fixed place of abode stood in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday and denied the allegation when it was read to him.

It is alleged that between January 3 and 4 at Georgetown he broke and entered the dwelling house of Andrew Walker and stole a motorcycle, a quantity of household appliances, tools, two helmets, clothing, footwear and two cellular phones, together valued at $1,437,000. Flavius who was without a lawyer at yesterday’s hearing said he has no fixed address since he spends most of his time working in the interior.

“Instead of getting into problems like these hey I does be in the bush (Aranka). I ain’t get no mother or father so is dey I does be all de time,” he said, shaking his head and sighing loudly.

Asked if any of the stolen articles were recovered, Police Prosecutor Sherwin Matthews said the motorcycle, five CDs, two helmets and a jersey were found with Flavius.

He added that Flavius was in the Stabroek Market area when he was arrested and he was allegedly wearing Walker’s clothing.

This was met with immediate denial from Flavius who said he had bought the jersey he was wearing for $1,500 and had borrowed the motorcycle from a friend.

After providing a name of the friend to the court, he was asked for an address for the person and he responded, “Is me good friend, Your Honour, but to tell you de truth, I don’t know whey he does live.” Flavius repeatedly said that he did not steal the articles.

Matthews subsequently objected to bail being granted, stressing that Flavius had told the court that he had no fixed place of abode and because of this he felt if bail was given he would not return for his trial.

The magistrate agreed with the prosecutor’s submission and adjourned the matter to February 1 in Court Two.