A policeman was placed on $40,000 bail yesterday after he appeared before a magistrate charged with theft.
The court heard that on April 10, at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, Brian Garner, 22, of 67 Middle Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, stole a Samsung cellular phone worth $45,000 and US$400,000 from Vanessa Shelton.
Garner, a policeman, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Better Hope Community Centre, where Sparendaam court matters are temporarily being heard. Police Prosecutor Ayesha Gibbons had no objections to bail, since she said the virtual complainant had indicated to her that she no longer wished to proceed with the matter.
Magistrate Ally-Seepaul then advised the prosecutor to get counsel from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on the way forward, since the charge against the officer cannot be easily dismissed by the court.
Garner was subsequently granted bail. He was ordered to return to court on July 12, when the matter will be called again.
