The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER who violated the conditions of his bail was yesterday remanded into custody for one month.

The 17-year-old was accused of breaking the conditions of the $3,000 bail he was granted by the Magistrate’s Court for a stealing charge in 2019.

The prosecution argued that the youngster was found outside his home after 4pm on Monday, despite the fact that he was on a 9am-4pm curfew.

The accused pleaded guilty during a hearing before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans yesterday.

The court was told that that day officers on mobile patrol were told that the teenager had violated his bail after the monitoring centre detected he was outside of his home after 4pm. The officers then went to the accused’s location where they told him that he was in breach of his bail conditions and arrested him. In an interview with police at a nearby station, he admitted to the offence. He was subsequently cautioned and charged.

When given an opportunity to speak during the hearing, the accused told the magistrate that on the day in question he had contacted the monitoring centre and told them that he had an incident at home and was told by his mother to leave the premises. He claimed persons at the centre told him he could not move without the court’s permission and he added he did not have a ride to take him to his nearest police station.

He said he was afraid to walk there as the island was on a full-day lockdown for the National Heroes Day holiday. The teenager insisted he did not venture far from his home as he went across the street to his friend’s house.

After accepting his plea of guilt, the judge revoked the defendant’s bail and sentenced him to one month in the juvenile section of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.