Sandy Bay man pleads not guilty to theft and assault charges, granted bail

A 30 year old labourer of Sandy Bay was granted bail in the sum of $4,000 with one surety and ordered to surrender his travel documents when he appeared in the Georgetown magistrate’s court on June 12, on assault and theft charges.

Raphael Lavia, who reportedly works on Bequia, pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court, a police report states. He was taken into custody on June 12, 2023 and charged with assaulting a 47-year-old labourer also of Sandy Bay by striking him with an unknown object on the left side of his face. Lavia also was charged with stealing EC$200.00 in cash from his alleged victim. The incidents are said to have occurred at Sandy Bay at about 9:30 p.m on June 7, 2023.When Lavia appeared in court, he also was ordered to report to the Port Elizabeth Police Station between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. every Monday and Friday. Stop notices were ordered placed at all ports of entry/exit. Lavia will appear in court again on Monday, June 26.