THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Gregory Mentore, of Lot 419 Independence Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden, who was shot while, allegedly, trying to escape with booty from Discount Store bond, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday.
The coconut water vendor pleaded not guilty to having committed the burglary on April 1 and stealing 14 pairs of children’s sandals and three pairs of children’s boots, all valued $16,500.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said a security guard who was on duty at the bond in High Street, Georgetown, saw the defendant jump the fence with a bag.
It was after he continued to run that the guard shot Mentore and he dropped the booty, the Prosecutor said.
But Mentore claimed he was wrongfully shot and left on a pavement to die from the injury  until firemen rescued him and summoned an ambulance for him.
He was granted $50,000 bail until April 28.