JUTC fuel theft trial stalled due to absent witnesses, bench warrants issued

Bench warrants were today issued in the St Catherine Parish Court for a police investigating officer and the Operation Manager of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) as their failure to appear stalled the trial of four persons accused of stealing 60 gallons of petrol from the bus company.

In issuing the warrants, Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne said that it was unacceptable that the witnesses were not present and said their absence was an affront to the Crown.

Arising from the stalled trial, bail was further extended for the accused - Bob Anderson, Oniel Downer, Carrington Martin, and Popito Jarrett, who are charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.

Allegations are that about 9:00 p.m. on September 30, 2023, a JUTC driver was held in Lakes Pen, St Catherine in connection with the theft of 60 gallons of petrol.

The police were summoned and following an investigation, the three other persons were arrested.

All four were subsequently charged.

- Rasbert Turner

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