Although he appeared in court on Friday charged with stealing EC$84,000 of the Vermont Wise and Prudent Friendly Society’s money, president of the society, Morris Prescott, might never stand trial, his lawyer, Arthur Williams told the court.
Prescott, 57, a justice of the peace and teacher, pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of theft when he appeared before Magistrate Bertie Pompey at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.
His court appearance comes one week after he told members of the friendly society at a meeting in Vermont that he had misappropriated EC$83,000 of the society’s funds.
In keeping with an application by the prosecution, bail was set at EC$90,000 with one surety.
Prescott was also ordered to report to the Vermont Police Station on Mondays and Fridays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
He was also ordered to surrender all travel documents, including his driver’s license and national identity card and was told that he must not leave the country without the permission of the court. The court also ordered that stop orders be placed at all ports of entry and exit.
The prosecutor, Station Sergeant of Police Elgin Richards, also asked that the matter be tried at the Kingstown Magistrate Court rather that in the magisterial district where the crimes were allegedly committed.
Williams did not object, saying it would be more convenient for the matters to be heard in Kingstown.
“He is a public officer,” the senior lawyer said, suggesting that his client has no intention of absconding.
Williams further said that he was present when investigator conducted the electronic interview with Prescott.
He said that during the interview, Prescott said that as president of the friendly society, he accepts responsibility for the fund and would ensure that they are repaid.
The prosecutor, however, objected to the disclosure of this information at this stage, a submission that the magistrate upheld.
However, no one had turned up by the time the court adjourned around 11:30 .m. to sign Prescott’s bail bond and he was remanded to prison.
Prescott is charged :
that between Jan. 1 and 31, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$1,0834.45 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between Feb. 1 and 29, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$7,221.42 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between March 1 and 31, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$687.70 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between April 1 and 30, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$9,141.54 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between May 1 and 31, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$9,087.15 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between June 1 and 30, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$8,941.80 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between July 1 and 31, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$7,276.55 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that on Aug. 25, 2016 in Kingstown, he stole EC$3,000 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between Aug. 1 and 31, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$5,941.40 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between Sept 1 and 30, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$2,970 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code;
that between Oct. 1 and 31, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$8,849.58 in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code; and,
that between Nov. 1 and 30, 2016 at Vermont, he stole EC$10,658.45in cash, the property of Buccament Wise and Prudent Friendly Society, an offence to Section 209(1) of Criminal Code.