Alledged sweet potato thief remanded

Seven months after serving a prison sentence in connection with an offence at Carrington Estates Limited, 44-year-old Kirk Orlando Small was back at Dodds. This time he is on remand for allegedly committing an act of predial larceny at the same location.

Small, who is recorded as having no fixed place of abode, but told Magistrate Elwood Watts that he resides with his sister at Blades Hill, St Philip, is also facing a breach of curfew charge and is expected to reappear before the District ‘C’ Magistrates’ Court on March 18.

The accused who is known to the court is charged with stealing 47 pounds of sweet potatoes worth $141 on February 17.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge as well as contravening Paragraph (2) sub-paragraph (1) of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) (CURFEW) (NO.3) Directive by being outdoors between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. when he was not an employee or member of an essential service or someone who had an emergency.

Station Sergeant St Clair Phillips objected to Small getting bail saying that there are fears that if the accused was released he would reoffend based on his antecedents.

“The accused was sentenced from this very court for a similar offence and received six months. In relation to the COVID matter there are statements from witnesses who actually saw the accused during the curfew period,” the prosecutor said.

In his application Small disclosed that he was released from prison back in July and was residing with his sister.

“I have witnesses that will say I was home. It was not me,” Small said even though he disclosed that he was not sure what day February 17 was.

“I was out exercising with the old people. The people they saw a dog. The dog was following somebody and they think is me. The dog follows everybody,” the accused added.

His application was denied. However, Magistrate Watts said he would be given the opportunity to bring his witnesses and sister on the next occasion to speak on his behalf.