Girlfriend send goldminer to steal chainsaw, TV

Feb 01, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

…court hears
Christopher Punch was very honest with the court when he disclosed that he was sent by his girlfriend to break into a home and steal a television set and a STHIL chainsaw.

Sent by his girlfriend to steal: Christopher Punch

He even told the court that his girlfriend, who is the caretaker of the home, gave him the keys to go into the house. He detailed how he removed several window panes to make it appear as though someone had broken into the home and steal the items.
Punch, 27, of West Coast Berbice appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he was indicted for break and enter and larceny.
The unrepresented man pleaded guilty to the allegation which stated that between January 7 and 24 at Bartica, Essequibo, he broke into the dwelling house of Anthony Mahase and stole a Premiere television (TV) set and a STHIL chain saw- all to the value of $275,000.
He was ordered to pay Mahase $200,000 as compensation for the chainsaw or in default serve 12 months in prison.
During his address to the court, Punch further related that he and his girlfriend sold the chain saw and divided the money between each other. He said that they were unable to sell the television set.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, said that Mahase secured his home on January 7, last, with the items mentioned in the charge intact.
According to the prosecutor, when the virtual complainant returned on January 24, he noticed that the items in the charge were missing and summoned the police.
Jones related that police acting on information, went to Mahase’s home where they found the television. The prosecutor said that the virtual complainant identified the television as his belongings. He said that Punch’s girlfriend told police that he brought the television home.
The prosecutor disclosed that Punch was arrested at Grove, East Bank Demerara and that his girlfriend was also charged with the crime.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones informed the court that he has no objections to the defendant being released on bail. Jones related that the parties are known to each other.
As condition of bail, the Chief Magistrate placed Punch on a bond to be of good behaviour until the determination of the matter. The Chief Magistrate also ordered him not to go within 50 feet of Mahase.
Punch was advised that if he fails to comply with the court’s orders, his bail will be revoked and he would be remanded to prison.
This matter will be called again on February 20 at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
In the end, the Chief Magistrate advised Punch not to be influenced by women.
Meanwhile, in another case, an unemployed man was released on $70,000 bail for a similar offence.
It is alleged that between December 24 and January 28, at Craig, East Bank Demerara, Lloyd Felix broke into the dwelling house of Alan Harmon and stole a transformer, three pairs of sneakers, a digital camera, an electrical iron and a quantity of clothing.
Felix of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to the accusation.