A taxi driver, accused of snatching a woman’s gold chain, was remanded to prison yesterday after a city court learned that his claim that he had never been charged before was untrue.
Gregory House, 43, pleaded not guilty to the charge that on November 8, on Regent Street, he stole a $65,000 gold chain belonging to Natasha Sheriff.
Prosecutor Michael Grant said that Sheriff was walking on Regent Street when the chain was snatched from her neck. He said she immediately raised an alarm and House was cornered by public-spirited citizens. He was held until the police came and a search conducted on his person uncovered the chain in his pocket.
House’s attorney, Paul Fung-A-Fat, told the court that his client, who lives at Parfaite Harmonie, had no pending matter before the court and was never previously charged. He also said the man was married and is the father of four children.
House, when asked by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry whether he was previously charged, also maintained that he had no pending matter nor was he charged before.
He added that he was beaten by the police and received blows to his head and mouth.
Grant, however, disputed House’s assertion that he had never been previously charged and he revealed that the accused is facing similar charges in the court, including a break and enter and larceny charge.
As a result, Grant’s objection to bail was upheld and House was remanded to prison until November 28, when he will return to court for the filing of statements.
