Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Wednesday February 19, 2020, remanded a 21-year-old miner to prison on a larceny charge.

Elis Calder of Mahdia appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.

It is alleged that, on January 1, 2020, at Mahdia, he stole one gold band valued $45,000 and $11,000 cash, property of Ray Singh.

The Police Prosecutor told the court that, on the day in question, around 09:30hours Singh and Calder were at a shop consuming alcohol, when Singh went to the washroom.
Shortly after Calder followed him and threw a liquid substance in his face. Calder then took the band off of Singh’s hand, pushed his hand in his pocket and took out his money, then made good his escape.

The matter was reported and Calder was arrested weeks after.
The Prosecutor added that Calder had a pending matter of similar nature at the Mahdia Magistrates’ Court and, while he was out on bail, he was not attending court.
Calder, after hearing what the Prosecutor said, told the court, “I was not too healthy to attend court, and I went in the Backdam to complete my pit”.

The Magistrate, after listening to the Prosecutor and Calder, told Calder that she wouldn’t grant bail since he was not attending court while he was out on bail and due to that he was considered a fight risk.

The Magistrate remanded Calder to prison and adjourned the matter until April 14, 2020. The matter was transferred to the Mahdia Magistrates’ Court.