Accused Stabroek Market chain snatcher put on $50,000 bail

A man accused of snatching two gold chains from a woman’s neck was yesterday placed on $50,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The allegation against Godfrey Giddings is that on February 8 at the Stabroek Market area, he stole from the person of Sharon Mc Pherson two gold chains valued $100,000, property of the said Mc Pherson.

Giddings was not required to plead to the indictable charge of larceny from the person when it was read to him.
The prosecution’s facts are that on the day of the incident, the virtual complainant was walking in the vicinity of the market when the accused accosted her and snatched the chains.

Attorney George Thomas who represented the accused made an application for his client to be admitted to reasonable bail on the grounds that he has no antecedents, poses no risk of flight, has a fixed address and has been cooperating with police investigations.

When asked by the magistrate if he had been before the courts before, the defendant said “yes”, explaining that he was once arraigned for an assault charge.

Prosecutor Stephen Telford in his application to the court asked that the defendant be remanded to prison. Moments after, however, he said that he had no objection to the accused being admitted to bail but requested that it be in a substantial sum.

Giddings was granted his pre-trial liberty in the sum of $50,000. He is to return to court today.