Accused housebreaker says was giving pit bull water

A break and enter accused on Wednesday told a court that he was giving a thirsty pit bull some water when persons approached him and accused him of stealing items from a home.

Junior Alleyne, 26, of 44 Princes Street, Wortmanville, explained to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that he was giving a pit bull some water, when residents of Bel Air Park accused him of stealing from a woman’s house. Alleyne was read a charge which stated that on October 31, at Oleander Avenue, Bel Air Park, he broke and entered the home of Angelica Singh, and stole a quantity of items amounting to $491,240. The accused pleaded guilty with an explanation, but his plea was changed to not guilty by the court, because of his explanation.

Alleyne told the court that he did not steal the items, but the residents did not believe him and handed him over to the police.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that on the day in question, the virtual complainant was in the upper flat of her home bathing, when she was alerted by her dogs barking. He said she looked through her bathroom door, and noticed her bedroom door push open, then it was pulled in. Jeffers said Singh exited her bathroom and was making checks when she saw the defendant leaving her yard with her suitcase and the missing items. The prosecutor said the woman raised an alarm and the defendant dropped the suitcase and began to run. The accused was then arrested by public-spirted citizens and handed over to the police.

The chief magistrate, after hearing from the prosecutor and the accused, remanded Alleyne to prison. The matter was adjourned until December 7 for statements.