FIFTY-one-year-old Winston Letlow was ordered to post $25,000 bail for his pre-trial liberty when he appeared yesterday before Magistrate Faith McGusty and pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing a bedsheet valued at $3,000, the property of Raymond Reece of Fabric World of Regent Street, Georgetown on Tuesday, February 18.Police Corporal Seon Blackman, prosecuting, said the defendant, of Lot 58 Howes Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, went into Fabric World store, picked up the bed sheet, placed it inside a black plastic bag and tucked the bag under his arm.

After he had exited the store, the prosecutor said, public-spirited citizens apprehended him and took him back inside with the booty under his arm; and Letlow apologized for his misdeed, and said he would not do it again.

But Letlow said he had gone on that day to purchase a hat at the store when the sales girl approached and accused him of stealing. He denied committing the act, stating that his wife had died from cancer and had left him with three children to take care of.

The prosecutor failed to have Letlow not admitted to bail, even though he had cited the nature of the offence and the penalty it attracts. Letlow will, however, report to East Ruimveldt Police Station every Monday and Friday at 09:00hrs until February 26.