Police officer granted bail, worried about safety

Now that bail has been granted in the sum of EC$130,000 to a police officer accused of stealing from the SVG Postal Corporation, an issue of security has been presented to the court.

Since Police Constable Ettian Charles’ first court appearance on July 12, 2017, charged with theft of EC$75,000, his lawyer, Carlos James, had mentioned an issue of security to the court.

Charles, an officer of over 10 years, was remanded in custody for two weeks, pending a bail review. At that time he was charged that on July 7 at Kingstown, he entered the Postal Corporation building as a trespasser and stole EC$75,000, the property of the Postal Corporation, contrary to section 217, (1b) of the criminal code.

However, on Wednesday, the police constable was granted bail in the sum of EC$130,000 with one surety and ordered to report to the police on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

James then raised some concerns his client, who lives at Glen, had with regard to him reporting to the Calliaqua Police Station. He asked that the court allow his client to report to the Questelles Police Station. SEARCHLIGHT understands that Charles intends to move closer to that community.

On July 12, James also raised the security issue when he asked the court not to keep his client at Her Majesty’s Prison in Kingstown, in light of his job. SEARCHLIGHT understands that Charles was kept at a station on the windward side of the island instead.

Stop notices were also placed at all points of exit and entry and Charles was ordered to surrender all travel documents and told that he needs the express permission of the court to leave the state.

The officer will return to court on October 19, when the matter is scheduled to be heard.