‘I met Jesus in jail’ - by Barbados Today January 21, 2016

Michael DaCosta Layne was remanded to HMP Dodds on two theft charges yesterday.

The 51-year-old denied stealing Samuel Denny’s bicycle last May Day and stealing wheel bearings, rack ends, brake pads, three duffel bags and a suitcase belonging to Leroy Parris a day ago.

Layne stood before Magistrate Douglas Frederick in the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court.

Sergeant Martin Rock objected to bail for the accused based on ‘a plethora’ of antecedents and also the fact that he had no fixed address.

Layne countered by insisting: “I live wid my mother in a four-bedroom house,” and that he had “met Jesus Christ in jail.”

Asked by the magistrate who would stand as surety for him if he were offered bail, the accused requested a call to his mother who, he said, “is 78, got diabetes, high blood pressure and could scarcely walk”.

Failing that, “I will call my pastor or Father Paul from the Roman Catholic Church,” Layne added.

Later in the day after no surety had arrived, Magistrate Frederick told Layne that he would be remanded until someone came to sign bail, particularly since he was deemed homeless.

Layne told the court he did not want to go back to jail. However, Magistrate Frederick explained that he had no choice and remanded the accused until February 17.

“February 17 . . . that is 28 days,” Layne said.

When Frederick urged Layne to tell a few young men on the bench about avoiding jail, the accused turned to them saying: “You ain’t want to go up dey. Up dey ain’t nice, boy. Half-cook rice, mackerel water . . . ,” Layne continued.

Even as he took his seat on the bench, Layne continued to say to the magistrate: “You could resort me to the Mental. The Mental is a better place.”