MALCOLM Collie, Carl Mangal and Onika Griffith (no addresses given) appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, charged separately with committing simple larceny on an Indian national who is hosting an exhibition in Georgetown.     The charge against Collie is that, on October 8, he stole four artificial chains valued $10,000, property of Jasat Singh.

The allegation against Mangal said that, on October 8, he stole two artificial chains among other items valued a total of $22,900, belonging to Singh; from whom Griffith is also alleged to have stolen seven lipsticks, amongst booty valued $7,500.         

Police Corporal Kerry Bostwick, prosecuting, said the virtual complainant hired the defendants to offload a container where he is displaying exhibits in East La Penitence; but, while offloading, they were seen handing some things to other people, who took them and ran away.

The virtual complainant, who was present in court, said he had been threatened by the defendants, but he asked that some leniency be shown to the female in the trio, as he was informed by her relatives that she has a small baby who needs her presence.

Singh said he does not wish to drop the cases, but out of humanity, he would ask for some leniency towards Griffith only.

The magistrate granted Griffith self-bail, but ordered Collie to post $10,000 and Mangal $20,000 surety, pending their return to court on October 19.