Tashieka Mair, Star Writer
WESTERN BUREAU

A constable attached to the St James police who is answering robbery with aggravation charges in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court was offered bail on Tuesday for an unrelated charge.

Constable Itchream Shuriah, 29, from Mount Salem, St James, was recently slapped with charges of receiving stolen property following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

stolen Toyota

The file was forwarded for review after he was allegedly held in possession of a stolen Toyota Corolla and its documents in the name of the owner.

However, defence attorney Dalton Reid in his bail application said his client bought the car from someone, who presented identification in the same name as the complainant. He said that the documents were to be transferred in Shuriah's name but the transfer was outstanding.

obtained illegally

Reid added that his client had a receipt to prove that he had paid for the vehicle, and therefore did not steal the vehicle or had a knowledge that it was obtained illegally.

Shuriah was offered $400,000 bail and ordered to report to the Montego Freeport Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the case is disposed of.

Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris warned that if the policeman found himself in trouble again, he would not be considered for bail. He is scheduled to return to court on July 1. The investigating officer was bound over to complete the case file.

Shuriah is also charged along with Constable Anthony Harris, a 31-year-old resident of Cornwall Courts and Gavin McNeil of Tucker, both St James addresses, in the robbery matter.

Allegations in the receiving stolen property case that are the owner of a white 1995 Toyota Corolla car, valued at $350,000, reported it stolen from the View Guesthouse in Mount Salem.

chassis and engine numbers

It is alleged that on June 5, police stopped a black 1995 Corolla, which was being driven by the accused with an ex-police in the front-passenger seat. An examination of the vehicle revealed that the chassis and engine numbers were as that of the car reported stolen from the complainant.

When the complainant was summoned, the key he had for the car could open only the right passenger door.

The court heard that the documents in the car bore the complainant's name and all the information related to the vehicle. But the rims and tyres of the car were changed.