By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
THE trial into the theft of $31,000, allegedly by former employees of the Bahamas National Festival Commission, organisers of the inaugural Junkanoo Carnival, has been delayed to February 2.
Benjamin Lightbourne, 25, and Kendyce Ferguson, 33, reappeared before Magistrate Guilimina Archer yesterday for the expected start of their case on two counts of stealing by reason of employment on March 16 and 23, 2015.
The trial did not start in September or December last year after rescheduling.
Neither did yesterday’s proceedings start because Lightbourne’s lawyer, Ian Cargill, had a matter in the Court of Appeal.
Supreme Court and appellate matters take judicial precedence over magisterial matters.
As a result, the trial was adjourned to next month.
Lightbourne and Ferguson both elected to be tried in the Magistrate’s Court when initially arraigned last July.
It is alleged that on March 16 they stole $24,404.43 belonging to the Bahamas National Festival Commission on Collins Avenue, which they had respective access to at the time as a messenger and an accountant.
They are further accused of stealing $6,852 a week later.
The total amount – $31,256.43 – was reportedly stolen through cheques that were drawn in the name of one of the employees who cashed them at a local bank.
Both were granted $15,000 bail.
Ferguson is represented by Terrel Butler.
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