Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Two St James residents, who are charged in connection with the theft of several air-conditioning units last year, had their case deferred to April 22 when they appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Maxine Kelvin and Sanjae Smith, both of Spring Mount addresses, are charged with receiving stolen property. They were given the new return date as the case file has still not been completed.

Allegations are that sometime in December 2012, the complainant went to her appliance-store warehouse in Welcome Hall and discovered that the facility had been broken into and several air-conditioning units were stolen.

Subsequent investigations led to two of the stolen units being found in Kelvin and Smith's possession. they were taken to the Montego Bay Police Station and interviewed. Under caution, Kelvin said, "A mi cousin from town give me it (AC unit)." Both men were arrested.

On Tuesday, clerk of the court Errol Chattoo noted that the case file for Kelvin and Smith was incomplete, as there are two police statements still outstanding from the file.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding between the clerks, including myself, and the officer as it relates to bringing the statements, to bring the file to a state of readiness, so we are asking for a short mention date," Chattoo told Resident Magistrate Sheron Barnes.

"What do you call a short mention date?" asked RM Barnes.

"April 22, your honour," said Chattoo, after consulting the court's calendar.

"The matter is set for April 22," RM Barnes advised the defendants, setting the case for mention on that date.