Fearing for a teenager’s safety, Magistrate Douglas Frederick today denied a bail application by his lawyer and a plea from his grandmother to “let him go”.
Mahindra Alexander Thomas, 18, of Redman Road, Deacons, St Michael, will continue to call HMP Dodds his home until January 11, 2019 after he was remanded by the magistrate when he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today.
His attorney Dwight Moseley, who appeared in association with Erin Corbin-Boyce, had sought to secure Thomas’ freedom for the Christmas holidays.
The accused is facing five charges; that between September 23 and 24 he caused John Henry to fear for his personal safety; used a firearm without a valid licence; damaged a motor car belonging to Edwin Rollock; damaged a house belonging to Henry and that he damaged a house belonging to Barbara Greaves.
Prosecutor Station Sergeant Carrison Henry continued his objections to bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. However, Moseley argued that while the matters were serious, that should not prevent his client from being granted bail.
He said Thomas had no previous convictions which meant that he was a fit candidate for bail. He pointed out that Thomas had been on bail previously and had complied with all of the conditions attached.
“So you’re telling me he was out on bail on a firearm-related matter and in the space of a year he has found himself back before the court on another firearm-related charge?” the magistrate asked him.
Moseley then suggested that his client was finding himself in trouble because he was residing in Chapman Lane, The City. He said Thomas’ grandmother was present in court and was willing to take him in.
“He should not be spending his young impressionable years among hardened criminals in prison,” Moseley argued.
But the magistrate said he was concerned that if Thomas was granted bail he would become a target.
“There are people who are saying that he shot at them, so what do you feel will happen when they find out he is out?” Frederick asked. “The safest place for him is with Government.”
He then asked the grandmother if she wanted him released from prison.
“Yes I do,” was her response.
“But I can’t because they might come to shoot him and shoot an innocent person instead,” the magistrate said.
“This matter must be thoroughly investigated and settled in the courts. I have a duty to protect him and to protect society,” Magistrate Frederick added.
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