A MAN appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, charged with stealing raw gold valued $32M. Desmond Singh (no address given) pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said he committed same between June 2011 and December 2012 when he stole 110 ounces of the precious metal, property of Carl Baldeo.

Police Corporal Kerry Bostwick, prosecuting, had no objection to bail, but requested that the sum be substantial; but Defence Counsel Peter Hugh requested reasonable surety, stating that the defendant is a supervisor at a mining camp, and has no previous conviction or pending cases.    The lawyer added that Singh was put on $100,000 station bail, and he willingly attended court. Hugh also said the defendant was not found in possession of anything belonging to the virtual complainant. He said Singh is presently not working, and cannot afford to pay a large amount of surety.

The magistrate set bail at $250,000, and the case was postponed to March 1.