Denied bail on theft charge, conductor rethinks not guilty plea

Courtesy gave way to rage yesterday after a minibus conductor was remanded to prison on a charge that he stole a gold cricket band.

Kevin Washington greeted Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry with an enthusiastic “Good Morning” as he pleaded not guilty to the crime yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1. It is alleged that on March 30, at Regent and Alexander streets, Washington robbed Porsha Jacobs of the gold cricket band, valued at $186,000.

The prosecution’s case is that Jacobs was in a taxi at the junction of Regent and Alexander streets when Washington approached the vehicle and subsequently snatched the gold band off of her hand and escaped. Washington was, however, later allegedly identified by the taxi driver and was arrested and charged.

After hearing submissions, the Chief Magistrate denied Washington bail and adjourned the case to April 24.

But upon being escorted to the court complex’s holding facilities, Washington flew into a fit of rage and tried to force himself back into the court. “I want tuh change my plea!” he yelled. “Y’all loose me! I want to change my plea, magistrate! I don’t want to go in jail and wait.” However, the enraged Washington was forcefully escorted to the holding facilities.