‘Tombstone’ to answer 14 more deception charges

Alister “Tombstone” Smith, who recently completed a jail term for deception, is back in court, answering 14 new charges of deception.{{more}}

Smith, who was released from jail on November 11, 2013, pleaded not guilty to 14 new charges of deception when he appeared before magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias yesterday at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

Smith, who gave his address as New Adelphi, is charged, that on June 14, 2014 at Arnos Vale, by deception, dishonestly obtained $780 from Renold Quashie, of Buccament, with the intention of permanently depriving him of same. Smith is also alleged to have dishonestly obtained the services of motor vehicle RV 384.

On June 16, 2014, Smith is alleged to have, by deception, dishonestly obtained $6,500 from Renold Quashie, of Buccament, with the intention of permanently depriving him of same.

He is also said to have dishonestly obtained from Quashie, Digicel credit amounting to EC$1,200, on June 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25th, 2014, with the intention of permanently depriving him of same.

Quashie, when called into the courtroom by prosecutor ASP Glenford Gregg and asked if he wished to go ahead with the matter, responded in the affirmative.

The prosecutor objected to Smith being given bail on the ground that police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are investigating other matters with which Smith might be able to assist. Gregg also said the Biabou police are carrying out investigations into certain matters and stated that Smith might also be of assistance to their investigations.

However, Smith’s attorney Israel Bruce said the reasons given as to why Smith should not be given bail do not provide a basis upon which bail should be denied.

“The Crown has not said whether he (Smith) will interfere with witnesses in this matter or even interfere with the case. These are not grounds for bail to be denied,” Bruce argued.

Magistrate Browne-Matthias, however, denied Smith bail, and adjourned the matter to August 18, 2014 for hearing.

Smith has been convicted on several occasions for deception and has been sentenced to jail on at least five occasions, with sentences ranging from three months in 2001 to seven years in 2009.(KW)