ALEX Edwards of Assakata Village, North West District, yesterday appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson charged with simple larceny and was fined with the alternative of spending time in prison after pleading guilty.

Edwards, 22, admitted that on March 29 last, at Rock Creek Backdam, Puruni River, he stole one ounce, 10 pennyweights of raw gold valued $300,000, belonging to Alfo Alphanso and Sons Mining Company.

Police Inspector Denise Griffith, prosecuting, said the defendant was employed as a ‘jet man’ at the said company and his duties include washing the gold.

She said Edwards was on his way out of the Company when a security officer checked his bag and discovered that his phone charger was unusually heavy.

The Prosecutor said closer examination revealed that the gold was hidden in the phone charger.

A representative of the Company told the court that Edwards, who was employed at the company for the past three months, stole the gold from a pipe.

He explained that after working with it, they would usually flush the pipe again so that they can retrieve any gold that may have been left inside.

However, he said Edwards flushed the pipe without first obtaining management’s permission.

He was fined $75,000 with the alternative of one year imprisonment. (Telesha Persaud)