Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A man who allegedly stole a cellular phone was granted $150,000 bail when he appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

He is Jermaine Saunders, phone technician of Spanish Town, St Catherine.

When Saunders appeared in court he pleaded not guilty to housebreaking. His lawyer, Courtney Maxwell, made a successful bail application. The court was told the accused did not participate in the theft of the phone.

identification parade

Maxwell told the court his client took the phone to the police after he got it to fix from a boy.

The court was told that not getting satisfaction as to where the boy got the phone, he took it to the station for the police to check it.

He was locked up but was not pointed out on the identification parade.

Allegations are that the accused was among a group who robbed three complainants of six cellphones, jewellery and $72,000.

The complainants were soundly beaten by the robbers.

On January 7, the accused was reportedly held at the Spanish Town police station with one of he stolen phones.

He was subsequently charged with the theft. He is to return to court on April 23.