TWENTY-three-year Kirtland Scott, a hire-car driver of Lot 48 Friendship, East Coast Demerara, appeared Monday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to the charge of simple larceny.

The offence was allegedly committed on June 11 last, when he, along with two others, stole Mazda motor car, PPP 5786, property of Ivor Allicock.

Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, said that the victim had parked his car and had retired to bed; but on the following morning, at around 06:00 hrs, he discovered his car missing.

Investigations were carried out, and after Scott was arrested, he admitted the offence in a confession statement.

According to the Prosecutor, the defendant was arrested in Berbice for a similar offence, and since the commission of this offence, Scott has been evading the police.

Mangru successfully objected to bail on grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence, and the punishment it attracts. He also noted that, if granted bail, the defendant would not return for his trial, since he has other pending matters of a similar nature.

Scott was represented by Attorney-at-law Ms. Omeyana Hamilton, who said her client was arrested by the police while tending to another matter. She argued that because of the defendant’s job, he has to move from one place to another; and she mentioned that she was instructed that the caution statement had not been given voluntarily.

However, the defendant was denied bail, and the matter was put off to July 4.

On June 16 last, Mortimer Chand (no address given) was remanded to prison on the same charge when he appeared before the Chief Magistrate.

Chand was unrepresented, and denied the charge, which alleged that he stole the said car, valued at over $2.7M.

The matter was reported to the police, and based on information, the car was found in Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

Chand also admitted to committing the offence under caution, and will also return to Court on July 4 for statements.