Men hauled before court over stolen ring

Two men accused of handling a stolen gold ring pleaded not guilty when they were hauled before Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-Dabreo to answer to the charge.

They are Sugar Mill Road resident Nickail Chambers, and Kiover Hatchett of Long Bush – both on Tortola.

Chambers was released on $30,000 bail, and placed on a daily curfew from 10pm to 5am.

Magistrate DaBreo, in the meantime, revoked Hatchett’s bail after noting that he was already before the court for an unrelated matter.

The trial is scheduled to start on May 8.

Allegations are that on January 13 this year, the complainant in the ring case secured his Long Bush residence and left for work.

When he returned home later that day, he realised that his home had been burglarised and number of jewellery stolen.

The court heard that three gold rings with a combined value of $2,250, and a gold hand chain valued at $1,100 had been removed from his residence.

After conducting a personal investigation into the burglary, the complainant met Chambers’ father, who reportedly handed over one of the stolen rings.

A report was then made to police who later accosted Hatchett. Police said he denied burglarising the complainant’s home.

When shown the ring that was returned, Hatchett reportedly told police that he had bought it for $150 from someone.

It is alleged that Hatchett told law enforcers that he later sold the ring to Chambers because he suspected it had been stolen.

Police met and cautioned Chambers, who allegedly said: “I do not know what you are talking.”

Chambers, however, admitted that he bought the ring from his co-accused Hatchett for $1,200.

He further claimed that he gave it to his father to return to the complainant when he discovered that it was stolen.