Defence calls car theft case ‘conflict between boyfriend and girlfriend

A 30-year-old Eccles man who reportedly stole a car and several other items from a woman was granted bail yesterday when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Reginald Browne of Eccles, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge of simple larceny.

It is alleged that on November 6, Browne stole a Hilux motor vehicle, a quantity of US currency, two cell phones and a bag, totalling $6.9 million, property of Halima Khaiyaum.

However, Browne’s lawyer Jerome Khan stated that his client was a well-known businessman who owns Reginald Car Rental and Wash Bay and the matter before the court was a conflict between a boyfriend and girlfriend. Khan stated that on the night in question, Browne and Khaiyaum got into an argument and Browne took Khaiyaum’s vehicle and drove away to avoid further conflict between them. The lawyer said Browne returned the vehicle shortly after. The defence attorney then applied for bail.

The prosecution did not object to the bail application but stated that the matter brought before the court was not one of love but of simple larceny.
The magistrate subsequently placed Browne on bail in the sum of $200,000 and ordered that he return to Court Two on January 20.