A 25-year-old father of one was remanded to prison last Tuesday by Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle when he appeared to answer a charge of simple larceny.

Otis Kennedy, who resides at Middle Street Pouderoyen appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to the charge.

It is alleged on September 24, last Kennedy stole one L6 Motorola cellular phone valued $39,000 and one gold band valued $8,000, all property of McCala Lewis.

The defendant told the Court that on the day in question he was accompanying a friend to a birthday party at Brickdam when he saw the virtual complainant (VC) and wished her a good night. Kennedy then held onto the VC’s hand which resulted in her dropping her band and at the same time her cellular phone fell to the ground. The accused added that he then saw people from the station who came and arrested him.

Police Corporal Sherwyn Matthews prosecuting, said that about 20:30 hours the VC who was in the company of her sister was walking along Brickdam and in the vicinity of the United Nations building she was confronted by the defendant who was walking behind. Kennedy then held on to the VC’s hand and took away her band and cellular phone and ran away. Both the VC and her sister give chase and public spirited citizens who were alerted apprehended the accused. A search was conducted on Kennedy and the cellular phone was retrieved after which he was taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

Kennedy has one day in which to repay the money but in the meantime he will remain in prison.

Meanwhile, in the same Court Deodat Mahadeo, called ‘Frankie’ was charged for a similar offence.

Mahadeo, 30, of Lima Essequibo Coast on September 25 last, stole one bottle Listerine from the Guyana Stores Limited which valued $1,400 and pleaded guilty to the charge.

Mahadeo said that he stole the Listerine and sold it in order to purchase food as he was hungry.

Police Corporal Sherwyn Matthews prosecuting told the Court that on the day in question at about 14:30 hours the defendant stole one bottle Listerine from the said business entity and placed it into his pocket when he was seen exiting through the eastern entrance of the premises. The accused was seen by a security officer of the firm and upon investigating a search was conducted when the item was recovered. Mahadeo was taken to the Brickdam Police Station where he was charged.

Phillip King who was the security guard at the time of the incident said the accused captured his attention while passing because he smelt badly and told him he was looking for food to eat.

Mahadeo was fined $5,000 or two months imprisonment.