BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HIS LORDSHIP Justice Errol Thomas on Wednesday (June 1) accepted Jervin Dowell’s “no case submission” for housebreaking and larceny, but the jury later returned a 11 to one guilty verdict of receiving stolen goods.
Dowell’s trial began on Thursday (May 26) and, according to the prosecution’s claims, the laptop he was accused of stealing was found in his possession while the police were executing a search warrant at his home.
Antonio Nias, the owner of the laptop, was summoned to the police station in March 2010 to identify a laptop following a report he made two months earlier.
He was able to identify features on the laptop which revealed that it belonged to him.
According to the prosecution’s claims, on January 19, 2010 someone broke into Nias’ home and stole a Dell Inspiron Laptop and a flat screen television, all to the value of EC $5 340.
The incident allegedly occurred sometime between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. while Nias and his common-law wife were not at home.
However, on returning and seeing that his home had been broken into and items were stolen, Nias made a report to the police.
In his defence, Dowell told the court that the laptop was given to him by his sister.
Dowell will be sentenced on Thursday, June 16, 2011 for the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Joseph Gardener, Junior Matthew and Neil Harvey are currently on trial for wounding with intent and unlawful wounding of St. Clair Elliott at Beaumont Park, Dieppe Bay on April 5, 2010.
The trial of the unrepresented trio will continue on June 2.
