Man found sleeping in stolen car offered bail

WESTERN BUREAU:A St Elizabeth man who was arrested after he was found sleeping in a stolen car was offered bail when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Dwight Lewis, whose address was not specified, pleaded not guilty to simple larceny and receiving stolen property belonging to Herbert Thorpe. He was offered bail in the sum of $50,000 and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. His case was set for mention on October 31.

The court was told that on June 21, Thorpe's motor car, valued at $420,000, was stolen in St James. Sometime afterwards, the car was found in St Elizabeth, with Lewis sleeping in the driver's seat. He was subsequently arrested and charged; however, Lewis told Resident Magistrate Wilson Smith that he did not know the car had been stolen.

"Me never know it was a 'thiefing' car. Is just because of two youths, they carried the car come to St Elizabeth because they always come and buy weed (ganja)," said Lewis.

Clerk of the Court Sheryl Robinson said that Lewis's case file was incomplete and also revealed, on Lewis's mother's behalf, that the defendant was mentally ill.

"I have two statements on the file, but the file is not complete. The investigating officer's statement is still outstanding," said Robinson. "The mother of the accused man says he suffers from some mental incapacity and is on medication. On humanitarian grounds, I would submit that he be offered bail and released into her care."

Smith told Lewis's mother to take her son for psychiatric evaluation.

"You are to take him (Lewis) to the psychiatrist so we can get a report on whether he is fit to plea or not," said Smith before setting the case for mention on October 31.