No-evidence motion made for stolen keys

WESTERN BUREAU:

A case against a St James locksmith who confessed to stealing a taxi operator's keys was dismissed when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Atley Hamilton of an Irwin address pleaded guilty with explanation to simple larceny, which was committed against Donovan Tomlinson. However, after consideration by the court, a no-evidence submission was made and the case dismissed.

During the journey, Tomlinson reportedly stopped the car, and it is alleged that Hamilton exited the car, taking the keys with him.

However, in court, Hamilton explained that the incident happened after Tomlinson had grabbed money and torn the notes.

"I took a taxi by 'Clock' (on Barnett Street in Montego Bay), which was going to Irwin," Hamilton explained.

"When I reached my stop, I reached into my pocket to take out some money, and he (Tomlinson) reached around and grabbed the money from me and tore it," Hamilton told Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small.

POLICE CALLED

"We passed Irwin and went up to Orange … and I took the keys, went back down to Irwin, and called the Adelphi Police Station," Hamilton added.

"My instructions are that it was the complainant who called the police," interjected clerk of the court Orrett Brown.

"Why should we believe that you called the police station?" Wong-Small asked the defendant.

"The number is stored in my phone," replied Hamilton.

Eventually, the court decided that under those circumstances, the case against Hamilton would be difficult to prosecute. He was instructed to enter a not-guilty plea, following which the no-evidence motion was made, and he was allowed to leave.