Man allegedly tries to steal phone from store

A senior parish court judge on Tuesday remanded a man who was brought before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court while he is out on bail for another matter.

Devon Slowly is charged on an indictment for larceny by trick, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious destruction of property. The allegations are that Slowly visited a store operated by the complainant and expressed interested in purchasing a cell phone. The complainant handed him the phone he liked, and Slowly allegedly attempted to leave with it without paying. A fight ensued and the police were alerted. Slowly was arrested and offered station bail. However, when the matter was mentioned previously, it was discovered that Slowly was before the court for a similar matter.

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque then revoked his bail, as he would have committed an offence while on bail for another. It was shared further that Slowly was convicted in 2014 for fraud-related charges. Defence counsel Davion Vassell attempted to have Slowly's bail restored.

"I have seen the video and if that is what the Crown is relying on to prove the charge, I don't think it will be successful. He was not the aggressor, he was taking the 'licks' judge, he wasn't fighting back," Vassell said. But the prosecutor rebutted.

"The accused man was on bail for conspiracy to defraud when he committed these offences allegedly, and we know that the Bail Act says that bail may be denied, Your Honour on these circumstances, because the Crown is of the view that the accused man is likely to repeat these offences if bail is granted," the prosecutor said, adding that the complainant is fearful of the accused.

Judge Cole-Montaque accepted the submissions of the prosecutor and denied bail. Slowly was remanded in custody until April 28, when the matter is set for mention.