Despite objections from the Crown that Marcus Williams, higgler, of a Kingston 2 address should not be granted bail, Supreme Court Judge Kay Beckford, said she had to grant him bail because of what transpired when he left police custody.

Williams, who was in custody on two charges, was freed last month in the Gun Court of illegal possession of firearm. The charge of arson was pending in the Home Circuit Court but after the judge told him he was freed of the charge, Williams left the courtroom and went home.

After the police discovered that Williams was still in custody, the police contacted attorney-at-law Peter Champagnie who is representing Williams and he gave them a telephone number for his client's home.

The police telephoned Williams and told him to return to the courthouse. He returned a few hours later and it was reported that he said he went home to visit his children and performed a certain act which he had not done for a long time.

The arson case was on the court list Thursday for a trial date to be set and bail application to be made. Williams is charged jointly with Andrew Meade, of a Kingston address and Meade is on bail in the sum of $80,000 with a surety. They are accused of setting fire to a house.

When the case was mentioned, Williams said he was innocent and was asking the judge to grant him bail. The Crown opposed bail but the judge pointed out that if Williams wanted to be at large, then he would not have returned after he left the courthouse.

A policeman told the court that Williams "was mistakenly let go."

"I go outside and come back your honour" Williams remarked. "I drove myself right back to the gate of the courthouse, I am no threat to society, " Williams added.

The judge after hearing the accused man's plea said he was entitled to bail because if he wanted to stay away, he would have done so.

Williams was offered bail in the sum of $100,000 with a surety. He is to report to the Hunts Bay police station three times per week and is to return to court on January 2.