ROCKY Boodhoo, alias ‘Bat’ appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton yesterday, charged with stealing gold and cash to the total value of $5.9M. The accused, of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma, North West District, was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which stated that, on July 5, at Port Kaituma Waterfront, he stole one black haversack containing $700,000 and 17 ounces of smelt gold valued $4.9M, property of Nalini Rajab and Erlene David.
Defence counsel, James Bond made a successful application and bail was set at $250,000 until July 27.
The lawyer said Rajab would, usually, stay at Boodhoo’s home whenever she is in the interior, drink with him and leave her bag with valuables around and he would secure it.
Bond said, that day, Rajab and Boodhoo were drinking and she left with her bag while under the influence of alcohol but returned later, informing him that she lost the bag containing the money and gold.
Counsel said Boodhoo went with Rajab to the police station where she made a report and he was arrested.
The lawyer told the court that, while Rajab was having drinks, she opened the bag in view of several persons and displayed the contents.
Police Corporal, Simone Payne had no objection to bail and informed the court that the lawyer’s narrative was accurate and the magistrate granted pre-trial liberty.