$100,000 bail for allegedly breaking into cousin's house

WESTERN BUREAU:A chef charged with breaking into his cousin's house in Barrett Town, St James, was offered bail when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Twenty-three-year-old Anthony McNeil, who also has an Old Bay, Green Island, address in Hanover, is charged with housebreaking and larceny. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

It is alleged that he broke into a house belonging to Petrona Campbell and reportedly stole items valued at approximately $89,000.

Defence lawyer Martyn Thomas categorically denied the allegations of the matter.

"He (McNeil) never broke into the premises, and no items were found on him. It is a long-standing dispute between the complainant and family members that has put him in this situation," Thomas told Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small.

"He was not in Barrett Town at the time of the allegations. He was in Green Island. He does not have to go back to Barrett Town; he can reside in Green Island."

CAsE FILE NOT READY

Meanwhile, the prosecution admitted that its case file was not ready as the arresting officer's statement is still outstanding.

"Is August 15 a convenient mention date for this matter?" RM Wong-Small asked Thomas.

"It is convenient, Your Honour," he replied.

Bail in the sum of $100,000 with up to three sureties was offered to McNeil and he was also instructed to report to the Green Island Police Station in Hanover on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"You are not to visit Barrett Town, and you are not to interfere with any of the witnesses in the matter. The case is set for mention on August 15," the RM warned.

Allegations are that on January 24, at 8:30 a.m., McNeil entered Campbell's house in Barrett Town through a window, took a laptop, a scale, a bottle of perfume, and $16,000.

It is said that later that evening, the complainant came home to find that her house had been broken into, and on making inquiries in the community, she was told that McNeil had been seen at her house.

A report was made to the Barrett Town Police Station, and on June 6, McNeil was picked up by the police in Green Island. He was arrested and charged on June 11, following an identification parade.