Four remanded on burglary charges

A joint burglary charge against four St Michael men has landed them on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds for at least the next 28 days.

It is alleged that 29-year-old Davion Francois Bourne and 30-year-old Dario Rico Morris, both of 2nd Avenue, Richmond Gap, along with 28-year-old Shanniel Shakem Marshall and 32-year-old Shaddrie Sheldon Marshall, residents of Lower Richmond Gap, entered Anthony Bourne’s residence between March 7 and 10. They are accused of stealing a television, a DVR, an angle grinder, ten bottles of cologne and $41 100 cash – total value $43 600 – from the house.

The alleged crime took place in the District ‘A’ jurisdiction.

The men, who are represented by attorney-at-law Damien Sands, were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Shanniel Marshall is separately accused of assaulting Rudolph Mapp on December 19, 2016, causing him bodily harm. He denied the charge.

Shaddrie Marshall, meantime, is also separately facing other charges. He is charged with entering Bay Tavern, located in the District ‘C’ jurisdiction, and stealing 102 bottles of assorted alcoholic beverages, two boxes of ice cream cones, four shopping baskets, four boxes of cornflakes, 24 packets of drink mix, three packages of boxers, nine bottles of roll-on deodorant, 12 tins of luncheon meat and 12 tins of tuna, between September 17 and 18, 2020.

He is also accused of entering Vaja Investment Limited, which falls within the District ‘B’ jurisdiction, as a trespasser, between September 15 and 16, 2020, and stealing 19 bottles of brandy, 110 bottles of whiskey, ten cartons of cigarettes and a cash register – total value $7 587.20 – belonging to Victor Estwick.

In the District ‘E’ jurisdiction, he also allegedly entered the Sunset Crest branch of Cave Shepherd (Duty Free Caribbean) as a trespasser and made away with three bags, 11 bottles of wine, a bottle of rum, eight bottles of gin and two bottles of vodka, all worth $6 525.78. The crime is alleged to have occurred between October 6 and 7, 2020.

No pleas were taken from the accused when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes on Tuesday.

They were remanded after Station Sergeant Cameron Gibbons and the defence attorney made submissions.

The prosecutor told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that the charges were serious. Bourne, Morris and Shaddarie Marshall, he said, all had antecedents under the Theft Act and there were fears that if granted bail they would reoffend.

Shaddarie Marshall and Morris, the prosecutor added, were also on bail from the No. 1 and 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court and had failed to appear on January 25.

“There is a possibility that if granted bail they will not reappear on their own accord,” Station Sergeant Gibbons said.

He also pointed out that Shaddarie Marshall was now before the court in connection with offences that were alleged to have been committed in several different jurisdictions.

In reply, Sands submitted that burglary was a bailable offence and his clients were gainfully employed and willing to adhere to any bail conditions. He added that Shanniel Marshall had no prior convictions and was before the court on mere allegations.

The attorney acknowledged that Bourne is known to the court, but pointed out that the last offence was some six years ago.

“I don’t believe there can be a quantum leap  . . . to suggest that he has a propensity . . . to commit further offences,” said Sands, even as he sought to explain why two of his clients had failed to attend court back in January.

After listening to the submissions, the Chief Magistrate said all the accused would be remanded, noting that “the company you keep determines your fate, sometimes”.

Weekes also pointed out that the District ‘A’ offence was significant compared to the other matters and Shaddarie Marshall’s name was being called “all over the place like Poonka”.

All four men will reappear before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on May 4.

Shaddarie Marshall, meanwhile, will attend the District ‘C’ Magistrates’ Court on April 12; District ‘B’ on April 15; and District ‘E’ on April 19.