Man jailed for stolen water pump

A St James man who reportedly purchased a water pump that was stolen from a farmer in a neighbouring community ended up being dragged before the St James Parish Court yesterday.

Alwayne Brown, of Barrett Town in the parish, is charged with receiving stolen property.

The court was told that on May 3, Brown was seen in the neighbouring Spot Valley community with a water pump that had been reported as stolen from the complainant's farm. When confronted by the police, he reportedly said, "Is a man mi see a thief di pump and mi say mi can get a buyer for it". He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Yesterday, Parish Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley asked Brown why was he in possession of the water pump. He offered an explanation but the judge was not impressed.

"I was going to work when I saw a man with the pump, and he said he was looking for somebody to buy it. So I said that I would give him $10,000 for it," Brown explained.

He also told the judge that he did not know that the pump was stolen.

The complainant told the court that he wanted the case to be tried because he lost a substantial amount of crops due to the pump being stolen.

The case was briefly stood down for mediation to take place between the parties, following which the court was told that a settlement had been reached and an initial payment is expected to be made by the next court date on August 9.

Brown was offered $200,000 bail with two sureties. He was ordered to report to the police twice weekly. - C.T.