The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

EIGHT people, including two women – one a young mother of a two-month-old infant - were charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with several car thefts in the area.

Hudson Roberts, 26, Deijon Cox, 19, Ethan Duncombe, 24, Deon Cox, 37, Akeem Bevans, 22, Julio Castillo, 20,  Wendica Beneas, 18, and Marva Williams, 24, appeared before Magistrate Charlton Smith.

It is alleged that on January 24, Hudson Roberts, Deijon Cox, Marva Williams, Ethan Duncombe and Akeem Bevans, concerned together, stole a white 1999 Honda, licence 54890, valued at $6,500, the property of Priscilla Williamson.

Deon Cox was charged with receiving stolen property. It is alleged that on January 25, he dishonestly received a black Epic Battery, the property of Priscilla Williamson.

Marva Williams and Ian Bevans were also charged with receiving. They are alleged to have dishonestly received four factory Honda rims, the property of Priscilla Williamson.

In a second matter, Hudson Roberts, Deijon Cox, Ethan Duncombe and Wendica Beneas were charged with stealing a Honda Saber, licence 52306, valued at $7,000, the property of Glerhad Klassen. The offence is alleged to have occurred between January 27 and February 3.

In a third matter, Hudson Roberts, Ethan Duncombe, Julio Castillo and Deijon Cox were charged with stealing a 1998 Honda Accord between February 7 and 8. The vehicle, valued at $7,500, is owned by Delores Dawkins.

Hudson Roberts, Deijon Cox and Ethan Duncombe were charged with receiving. It is alleged that between February 7 and 8, the accused dishonestly received 156 souvenir tee-shirts valued at $1,000.

All of the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

Lawyer Simone Brown, who represents Beneas, asked the court to grant her client bail because she is the mother of a two-month-old infant and has been in custody since Thursday.

Ms Brown also noted that her client is a full-time student studying hospitality at a vocational institution. 

“She would not interfere with any of the prosecution witnesses in the case,” she said as the young woman wiped away tears. 

Ashley Evans, counsel for Castillo, said her client works at Club Fortuna, where she has been employed as a dishwasher for four months. Castillo, she said, has had no previous convictions or matters pending in the courts.

Brian Hanna represented Williams.

Prosecutor Barr had objected to bail for all the male defendants. He said that all of the accused men were charged with various counts. He also noted that one of the men is wanted on another matter in New Providence while another had appeared no later than last week in the court. 

Mr Barr said that the matter could be adjourned to April 27. However, Magistrate Smith adjourned the arraignment to consider the question of bail for all the defendants.