By Tahna Weston
Acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason has placed two people on remand for the Christmas period for the safety of the public.
Iesha Chiddick and Tony Fontaine appeared in St John’s Magistrates’ Court yesterday to answer to four joint charges, two counts of malicious damage and two separate charges of break-in and entering and larceny.
The police allege that the duo broke into two Factory Road properties on November 28 and stole a number of items.
During one of the incidents, the duo is accused of damaging a wooden door in order to gain entry into the home where they allegedly stole a quantity of gold and silver jewellery and perfumes valuing over $4,000.
While Chiddick, 25, of Gray’s Farm pleaded guilty to damaging the door, she denied stealing the items. Fontaine denied both charges.
The duo is also accused of damaging a wind-up window to enter a home and stealing, among other items a metal safe, laptop computer, cell phone, a bottle of Coca-Cola, and over $140 in coins. The stolen items were valued at over $4,500.
Chiddick pleaded guilty to causing damage to the window and stealing the items while her co-accused denied both charges.
Magistrate Wason — after being told that both defendants were caught, but one fled from the scene — said he was not minded to grant them bail.
Looking at Fontaine, who is known to the court, the magistrate said: “I know trouble. The place will be safer for this season if you are not out. You are remanded unless you can secure bail in the High Court.”
Fontaine, of Hatton, complained that he had been held at the station for seven days before being brought before the court and that he was beaten.
