Vincentian-born Canadian on theft, deception charges

A Vincentian-Canadian was denied bail on offences of theft and deception, despite his lawyer saying that this would be a travesty of justice.

Allie Franklin Providence first appeared in court on November 13, pleading not guilty to a charge of deception for, between the dates of September 29 and November 4, dishonestly inducing Crystal Andrews of Villa to wait for payment of $15,494.22, which he is alleged not to have intended paying her.

Providence is said to have stayed at a hotel for a period of time and attempted to leave without paying the sum of money stated. Providence, who appeared in court wearing a jacket and dress shoes, was remanded in custody on November 13.

Prosecutor Adolphus Delplesche called him a flight risk, because although he is Vincentian, he has been living in Canada.

Providence, who spoke in court when he first appeared, said, “I have no intention of leaving St Vincent before the matter is completely settled. I am a business person, I am here to do business.”

He further stated that he had an address in Troumaca.

Nonetheless, he was thought to be a flight risk and was denied bail, his trial set to be started and completed expeditiously, on November 16.

When that day came, Providence had just hired defence lawyer Grant Connell to speak in his stead and Connell therefore applied for an adjournment and full disclosure on the case within 24 hours.

This Monday, Connell requested another adjournment, as full disclosure had not yet been met.

He also requested bail for Providence, but this was not granted, the trial being set for Wednesday.

But on Wednesday, Providence was not present in court when he was called; instead the prosecution informed the court that he was at the Criminal Investigations Department(CID), since two new charges had surfaced against him. The deception matter was therefore adjourned to December 11.

Later on Wednesday morning, when lawyer and defendant were both in the courtroom, two more charges were laid against Providence. He was further charged that on August 21, he, knowing it was required or expected for services provided, did dishonestly make off without paying US $320. He is also charged with, on the same date, the theft of two bath towels, two hand towels and two wash cloths, the property of Carolita Samuel of Belair, worth US $34.

The prosecutor objected to bail, saying that similar reports were highly probable and other investigations were going on.

However, Connell still rose to make an application for bail for Providence. He said Providence was fully anchored in St Vincent, so much so, he has people who are willing to come and sign bail up to $100,000 for him, which is four times the amount in the charge. He asked for the police to shackle him by enforcing conditions instead.

“We cannot treat our black brother like this. If he were a Caucasian or a yachtie, he would already be on bail.”

He said if Providence were not granted bail, he would lose faith in the justice system. He further stated, “the law was not designed to treat people in this manner.”

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne stated that considering the applications made by both the prosecution and the defence, she was denying bail.

The trial is set to take place on December 11.(KR)