WESTERN BUREAU:

The attorney for an 18-year-old accused man told the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday that her client, accused of stealing a woman's gold chain, was the victim of mistaken identity.

Adrian McKinley of Norwood, St James, has been charged with larceny from the person.

The court was told that on April 8, the complainant and her husband were sitting in a car on Bevin Avenue in Montego Bay, when she felt someone grab at her neck. She turned and saw McKinley, who snatched her gold chain from her neck and fled. Her husband gave chase, but the thief escaped.

Further allegations are that, on April 12, the complainant was walking on Barnett Street when she spotted and identified McKinley to a police officer.

stolen chain

When the officer approached and cautioned him, McKinley reportedly said, "Boss, a di first me a do it, and mi sorry for what mi do." When asked for the chain, he said that he had been beaten up by other people and the chain stolen. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Petrona Wallock, McKinley's lawyer, told Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tae that her client never made any such statements to the arresting officer. She further claimed that her client was a victim of mistaken identity.

He returns to court on May 27.