Watch repair dispute lands Joy Reid in court

A 52-year-old real estate agent accused of stealing from Brains Watch World was yesterday placed on $20,000 bail when she appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to answer the charge of simple larceny.

It is alleged that on July 1 at Georgetown, Joy Reid of 24 ‘D’ Forshaw and Oronoque streets stole one wristwatch valued $35,000, property of Brains Watch World.

Reid pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her by the Acting Chief Magistrate.
According to the defendant, the watch in question is hers but she had taken it to Brains Watch World to be repaired. Reid explained that after agreeing upon a price for getting the watch fixed she made a down payment and left the watch with the understanding that she would pay the balance upon her return to uplift it.

Reid said, however, that when she returned to uplift her watch, the outstanding amount being claimed by the salesgirl was in excess of the amount initially agreed on. This, Reid said, caused her to become angry and she took her watch which was in the sales girl’s hand and proceeded to leave the store.

Fiona Reid, the salesgirl at the watch store, told the court, however, that the defendant was informed about the price increase and had agreed to pay it.

“When she came to collect the watch she refused to pay the additional cost for the repair, my Worship,” the virtual complainant said.
Reid was ordered to return to court on July 17.