CHARLES Small, 45, (no address given) yesterday appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson to answer a simple larceny charge.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence, which stated that on October 25, 2009, he stole one cellular phone valued $49,000 property of Adrian Elgin.

The defendant said he is a beverage vendor on the seawall and he was going home on the night in question when he saw a cellular phone on the ground.

The man said he picked up the phone and threw it away. He said the following day some men came at his home and told him to give up the phone.

However, the prosecution said the virtual complainant was on the seawall and was talking on his mobile when the defendant rode up with a cycle and snatched the phone away.

The prosecutor said the virtual complainant knows the defendant and later found out where he was living. He said Elgin took the police to the defendant’s home and he was arrested.

Small was placed on $20,000 bail and the case will be called again on November 20.