TWO miners accused of stealing two ounces of raw gold were placed on $300,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, on Tuesday.

Number one defendant, Wesley Morrison, 42, of Lot 9 Belfield Housing Scheme and number two defendant, Royston Herod, of Lot 10, Two Friends Village, both on the East Coast of Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The particulars stated that between April 28 and May 2 at Aranka Backdam, Cuyuni River, they stole the raw gold worth $420,000, property of Ivan Weight.
Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, objected to the pretrial liberty of both defendants on the grounds that they pose a flight risk, since they are likely to be facing other similar charges.
Mangru said after the commission of the offence, the number one defendant fled the area but was later apprehended during a sting.
The duo was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Rexford Jackson, who requested that both his clients be admitted to bail.
The lawyer said that Morrison was employed with the virtual complainant (VC) for about fourteen years and is a father of four.
Jackson said the other defendant is also employed with Weight for a considerable time and never encountered any such allegation.
They were both ordered to lodge their passports and report to the police until the completion of their trial.
However, the prosecution’s objection to bail was overruled and the case was transferred to Bartica Court for June 12.

(Geeta Rampersaud)