A man who is accused of setting a house afire was yesterday granted $100,000 bail after denying the charge.
Ardeem Ally, 23, was brought before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where he was read the charge.
It is alleged that on April 24, at Lot 30 Queen Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously set fire to the dwelling house of Floyd Beckles.
Ally maintained his innocence and said that he was being set up. The Magistrate then called for the court’s Probation Officer to speak to Ally after he continued mumbling about his innocence. According to the Probation Officer, Ally has a tendency to drink and that he and Beckles are familiar with each other.
The police prosecutor then told the court that according to the facts in the matter, the man had an issue with Beckles just two days prior to allegedly setting the house on fire. The prosecutor objected to Ally being released on bail. He stated that it was his opinion that Ally will not return to court because he gave his place of abode as both Linden and Kitty. The prosecutor added that lives were endangered and that a child was in the house at the time of the fire. Finally, he argued that there is CCTV footage which captured Ally committing the act.
However, despite the arguments, Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus granted bail at a sum of $200,000 and bonded Ally to remain 300 feet from Beckles and the residence. Additionally, the condition for bail is that Ally reports to the Kitty Police Station on the first Friday of each month until the matter is concluded before the court. She also said that the occupants of the home would need counselling.
The matter was adjourned until June 2.
