An iWitness News report published on Tuesday has resulted in more charges being brought against a St. Vincent-born Canadian man accused of not paying his hotel bills.
The story, “Man charged over $15,000 hotel bill”, published on Tuesday, Nov. 21, resulted in Allie Providence, who was scheduled to be tried one day later for not paying EC$15,494.22 to Mariner’s Hotel, being slapped with two additional charges.
A woman on Tuesday thanked iWitness News for publishing the article, saying that after reading it, she had gone to prosecutors, who referred her to police.
As a consequence, Providence was on Wednesday charged with not making payment of US$320, a crime he allegedly committed at Villa on Aug. 21, 2017.
He was further charged that on Aug. 21 at Villa, he stole two bath towels — value US$20, two hand towels — value US$10, and two wash cloths — value US$4, total value, US$34, the property of Carlita Samuel of Belair.
Providence was initially scheduled to be tried on Wednesday on the first charge.
However, when Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne Matthias inquired about the accused man and his lawyer, Grant Connell, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delplesche told her of the development.
“Thank God for the media. The media having published the story, people are coming forward,” Delplesche told the court, referring to further allegations being made against Providence.
“The media has its role. We may not like it at times, but thank God for the media, he might be here for a while.”
Having heard the report of the prosecutor, the magistrate dismissed the witnesses and adjourned the matter to Dec. 11, 2017.
Providence also pleaded not guilty to the new charges.
He was denied bail, despite the pleading of his lawyer, who, among other things, offered the court the man’s Canadian passport.
Connell further told the court that one of Providence’s relatives was willing to surrender to the court the deed for a property valued more than EC$500,000 as part of the bail condition.
Looks like this guy is a real freeloader.