The Tribune

SIX men were brought before the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday to face a laundry list of shopbreaking and stealing offences that occurred in the Eight Mile Rock and Freeport areas between June and July.

Eric Forbes and Bobby Outten, both 18; Delano Black, 31; Darren Black, 35; and Charles Bethel, 41, all of Eight Mile Rock, and Andrew Bowe, 34, of Freeport, appeared in Court One before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson.

Delano Black, Darren Black, Outten, and Forbes were charged with nine counts of shopbreaking and seven counts of stealing from a shop, two counts of sacrilege, and one count of causing damage.

The accused men allegedly stole property from a church and several businesses in Eight Mile Rock.

Delano Black and Darren Black pleaded not guilty to all the charges and elected summary trial in Magistrate’s Court.

Forbes pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. He was ordered to pay compensation totalling $2,700 to the virtual complainants by noon today. If he pays, his sentence would be reduced by six months and he would serve six years.

Darren and Delano Black were denied bail and remanded in custody at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until November 6 for trial.

Bowe was charged with receiving.

It is alleged that on July 16, the accused dishonestly received one black LG 55-inch flat screen TV knowing it was obtained or appropriated by an offence.

He pleaded not guilty to the matter. He was denied bail and the case was adjourned to October 10. He was remanded to BDCS.

Bethel was also charged with receiving. It is alleged that between July 3 and July 4, while at EMR, the accused dishonestly received one Polaroid television valued at $300, knowing it was obtained or appropriated by an offence.

Bethel was also charged with possession of ammunition with intent to supply. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was denied bail. The case was adjourned to October 10 for trial.

As for matters that occurred in Freeport, Forbes, Outten, Delano and Darren Black were each charged with three counts of shopbreaking; one count of attempted shopbreaking; three counts of stealing from a shop, and one count of causing damage.

Forbes and Outten pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced to three and four months in prison.

Delano and Darren Black pleaded not guilty. They were denied bail and were remanded in custody until October 10.

The four men were also arraigned in Court Three before Magistrate Rengin Johnson on further shopbreaking and stealing charges.

Forbes and Outten pleaded guilty, and their sentencing was deferred to Friday, July 19. Delano and Darren Black pleaded not guilty. Bail was denied and they were remanded to the BDCS until November 18 on that matter.