FOUR firefighters charged with stealing articles from a crash-landed Fly Jamaica aircraft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in November 2018, appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court charged with simple larceny.

Aubrey Frank, Jamie Kingston, Royden Kennedy and Collis Williams pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted $80,000 bail each by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Williams, of Coverden East Bank Demerara, who is accused of stealing one Iphone worth U.S.$350 and a Samsung phone valued at U.S $380, previously appeared in court last Friday.

The virtual complainant Captain Basil Fergusson, who was piloting the aircraft, testified via skype on Friday.

Captain Basil Fergusson, who resides in Kingston, Jamaica, told the court that the aircraft had developed problems and had to return to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for an emergency landing. Additionally, captain Fergusson stated that he had his personal possessions, which included an Iphone and a Samsung S5 phone, in the cockpit of the aircraft. The captain said after the plane had come to a halt, the established procedure was followed: the emergency crew at the airport boarded the aircraft, while the pilot, co-pilot, flight crew and the passengers evacuated the plane.

Captain Fergusson testified that there were present in the cockpit of the aircraft, himself and the co-pilot Keon Bryan and 128 passengers.

After the emergency crew, which included firefighters of the Guyana Fire Service, gave clearance that all was well in terms of safety, Captain Fergusson, his co-pilot Keon Bryan and the chief flight attendant were then invited to board the plane. Fergusson said that when he entered the aircraft, he observed that passengers’ bags were open and his bag had been removed from the cockpit.

On Friday as well, Williams said that when he re-entered the aircraft, he had observed several articles on the floor; he said he picked them up and handed them over to the officer-n-charge.
The matter will continue on August 7th at Providence Magistrate Courts.