Clothing theft accused granted $80,000 bail

A man who claimed he was wrongfully accused of stealing $202,000 worth of clothing was yesterday granted bail, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Police alleged that on the August 30, at Water Street, Georgetown, Devon Jackson, of 7 ‘C’ Field Sophia, stole 32 trunks valued $80,000 and 38 short pants valued $122,000. He pleaded not guilty.

Jackson told the court that the day in question he had just returned from Berbice and was walking along Water Street when a guy walked up with him an ice pick and accused him of stealing from him. He said he started to run towards the constabulary, but the man caught up with him and stabbed him twice on his arm. He said he was then arrested and taken to the police station. At this point Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry halted his explanation of the event.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence and the penalty it attracts.

However, Jackson was initially placed on $100,000 bail. But after he indicated to Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry that he could only afford $80,000, his bail was then reduced to that amount. He will return to court on September 20.