Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A Montego Bay man, who was caught in possession of chairs valued at $85,000 belonging to the Holy Trinity Church, was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Desmond Hewitt, a resident of Westgate Hills in St James, is to be interviewed for legal aid to be assigned to him for his next court appearance on April 1.

Hewitt pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen property and explained to the court that he "saw a man stashing the chairs and took the opportunity to get something out of it".

While he acknowledges that he was wrong to have taken them, he denies playing a part in the actual removal of the chairs from the church.

However, RM Winsome Henry remanded him in custody and stated that offences of this nature, in which churches and schools are robbed, are very serious.

Allegations are that he was seen close to the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay with 17 chairs. An investigation revealed that the chairs belonged to the Holy Trinity Church.

Hewitt, under caution, allegedly told the police that he knew they belonged to the church but said he was not the one who stole them.