Kitty resident granted $300k bail for death of motorcyclist

Twenty-nine-year old Joel Thomas was on Wednesday charged with causing the death of a 28-year-old motorcyclist during an accident on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown two months ago.

The young man of Thomas Street, Kitty Georgetown, appeared before City Magistrate Sherdel Isccas-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where he was granted $300,000 bail.

The charge was indictable and so Thomas was not required to enter a plea.

It is alleged that on July 8, 2019, at Vlissengen Road, Thomas drove motor vehicle PTT 2510 in a dangerous manner which resulted in the death of 28-year-old Stephon Beckles.

Thomas, who is employed as an Office Assistant, was represented by Attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon and the matter is adjourned to October 1, 2019.

On July 10, Thomas was arraigned before City Magistrate Clive Nurse and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and without a tint permit.

He had pleaded guilty to the latter charge which alleged that on July 8, 2019, at Vlissengen Road he drove the car with the glass tinted beyond the legally prescribed Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage (VLT).

He was fined $7,500 for that offence.

He had pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and was released on $10,000 bail.

Police Headquarters revealed that Beckles of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown lost his life while his 22-year-old friend, Kevin Andy of Perry Street, Tucville was hospitalised after their motorcycle CH 9859 collided head-on with Thomas’ motor car on the day in question.

Police reported that Thomas was proceeding North along the western lane of Vlissengen Road, while the motorcycle was proceeding south along the eastern lane of the said road at a fast rate of speed.

It is alleged by Thomas that the motorcycle ended up in his lane which resulted in the head-on collision.