Burglary accused Sidney V. Malone, centre, at the Magistrate’s Court in John’s Hole on Monday, November 18 2019. Photo: VINO

The Fat Hogs Bay resident made the statement on Monday, November 18 2019, when he made his maiden appearance for the charges before Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste-DaBreo.

“They (RVIPF) are just trying to post it on me! They are just assuming. If it was a clear identification, but it’s not …this is wrong,” Malone said while insisting that he was innocent of the crime.

Malone told the court that the RVIPF would be unable to clearly identify the burglar because his face was covered in the video footage of the home that was burglarised.

Malone pleaded not guilty to the offences which the court said happened on November 13 and 14, 2019.

Allegations are that Malone entered a residence in Kingston twice after the Virtual Complainant (VC) went to bed.

Despite entering twice, the intruder did not steal anything in the house, Prosecutors said.

Caught on camera

The burglar was seen on surveillance cameras inside the gated property the next day, and the footage was turned over to the RVIPF to help in their investigation.

Prosecutors said Malone was identified as the burglar and was met soon afterwards, dressed in a similar fashion as the burglar and charged with the offences.

Malone made successful appeal for bail

Without the help of a lawyer, Malone made a successful appeal to Magistrate DaBreo to grant him bail.

Prosecutors had said they were objecting to bail because if he was given bail he could likely re-offend, as he had a previous conviction for a similar offence in the past.

They also argued that the matter was a serious one.

In his defence, Malone said, “Only a fair chance I am asking for…you are innocent until proven guilty.”

Moved, Magistrate DaBreo granted Malone$60,000 signed bail.

He was also placed on an 8:00pm to 6:00am curfew, until the duration of the proceedings.

Malone is to make his next court appearance on December 12, 2019.