Three general workers, who stole a $500 angle grinder and $15,000 worth of copper, have agreed to work free of charge for the affected company for the next five months.
Devere George Junior Small of Silver Hill, Christ Church and Antoine Mitroy Johnson, of Kendal Hill, Christ Church – both 27 years of age – along with 20-year-old Cesar Grzo Quintero, of Apt #5 Corner of Redman Road and Deacons Road, St Michael, were not required to plead to the offence, which were committed against PALGAG Barbados Limited, sometime between October 3 and 5.
A company official, who was in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today, informed Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant that they were no longer proceeding with the matter, as the accused men would not be able to repay the company its total losses, which he estimated at $50,000.
“In return we have two months to finish the project that we are working on and we would like these guys. . . to come and continue to work . . . [until] the project is completed,” the representative said.
He made it clear the men would not be paid any salaries or wages for the period, but their taxes would be paid.
Attorney Ajamu Boardi, who is representing Small, and Sally Comissiong, who is Quintero’s legal counsel, accepted the conditions, as well as Johnson, who is representing himself in the matter.
Cuffy-Sargeant enforced the conditions and granted the three men $16,000 bail each which they posted with individual sureties.
The trio returns to court on November 1 for an update.
In the meantime, Small, who is also accused of committing several offences under the Road Traffic Act on October 6, has to report to the Oistins Police Station, while Quintero must present himself to the Black Rock Police Station and Johnson to the Hastings Police Station. The reports must be done every Sunday before noon.