A man was yesterday found guilty of stealing a policeman's cellular phone from his car following a trial in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

The man, Desmond Grant, was arrested and charged with simple larceny. He had denied the charge.

According to the prosecution, on July 1 the complainant was driving in the vicinity of the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre when he saw a schoolboy approaching another with a knife. The officer got out of his car, left his cellular phone on the seat and went to quell the dispute.

However, on his return he reportedly realised that his cellular phone was missing and saw Grant with the phone. The policeman reportedly approached Grant but he pulled a machete from his waste and was shot and injured.

But Grant later testified that he found the phone in the middle of the road and was about to hand it over at the nearest police station when he was accosted and shot.

However, yesterday RM Georgianna Fraser told Grant that she did not accept his evidence or that of his witness and found him guilty of the charge.

Grant's bail was then extended for him to return to court on October 26 for sentencing.