Men fined, bonded over stolen beers

An uncle who offered his nephew a stolen beer has been fined while the nephew was bonded.

The men Raffique Williams and Donald Williams, both of Georgetown, were each met with two bottles of beer and were taken to the Georgetown Police Station for questioning.

They were later arrested and charged.

They appeared before Magistrate Bertie Pompey at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to a charge that on April 15, they stole five cases of Hairoun beer valued at EC$343, the property of Ravern Barker, of Bay Road, Georgetown.

According to the facts, Barker, a 20-year-old student, operates a business belonging to his father, who is overseas.

About 1:45 a.m. on April 15, after hosting an event, Barker secured the business, including 14 cases of beers, before leaving for home.

When he returned to the business at 8:30 a.m., he noticed that five of the cases of Hairoun were missing.

The matter was reported to the police, whose investigation led to the duo.

Both men apologised for their actions telling the court, “I am sorry.”

In mitigation, Raffique told the court that his uncle was in control of the bar and asked him if he wanted a beer. “And I told him yeah. So, I took a beer and for it I get lock up.”

Prosecutor, Corporal 817 Stapleton informed the court that just four bottles from five cases were recovered.

“I don’t know where all the beers gone. I give friends some,” Donald said, adding, “I understand was my wrong.”

At this point, Prosecutor Corporal Delando Charles told the magistrate that Barker was outside and had indicated that someone had paid for the five cases of missing beers.

The magistrate fined Donald EC$500, ordering him to pay EC$250 forthwith and the remainder in one month or serve three months in prison.

Raffique, who the magistrate said played a lesser role, was bonded for a year in the sum of EC$1,000. If he breaches the bond, he must pay the amount forthwith or spend six months in prison.