KINGSTON, Jamaica - A 17-year-old boy was among two people who were hauled to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court after being charged for receiving a stolen bike.
The allegations are that on May 7, the teenager was seen driving a white 2020 Yeng Yeng motorcycle on Shortwood Road with no registration plate affixed. He was intercepted by police, the court was told. Further checks revealing that the motorcycle was stolen.
The prosecution told Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague, that the teenager led the police to Jahiem Pratt’s house. Upon seeing the police, Pratt allegedly ran and was quickly accosted.
After being cautioned by the police, Pratt allegedly said, “Offica a mi and CJ mek up an’ buy the bike … bossy mi nah lie.”
The court was not told who CJ was.
Pratt supposedly stated that papers for the motorcycle were available.
The court was told that the 17-year-old had asked to borrow the motorcycle to ride because it was his birthday.
During his bail application, which was ultimately denied until his defence attorney can provide documents proving that he will be enrolled in a school, it was revealed that the teenager was living with his mother and “this is his first run in with the law.”
The attorney said her client intends to start the process of enrolling in the Jamaican-German Automotive School (JAGAS), but his mother was told he cannot do so until he reaches 18 years.
“At 17 years old in the eyes of the law he is still a child, and because he is still a child this court would like to be satisfied that he will be properly engaged and properly supervised. At 17 years old he is not enrolled in any school, is that so?” Judge Cole-Montague asked.
To which the attorney indicated that at present he is not enrolled in any school.
“Let me see some conditional acceptance, so that I know that if I am to exercise my discretion in that way, I would not have a young man left up to his own devices,” Judge Cole-Montague said, as she denied bail. “We all know the saying that the devil find work fi idle hands.”
Both the teenager and Pratt were remanded until June 8.
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