Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James businessman accused of stealing motor vehicle parts from another man had his bail extended to May 21 when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The matter was deferred on account of the absence of the complainant, who failed to show up in court.

Francois Lawrence, from Church Hill Avenue in Montego Bay, is charged with simple larceny committed against Howard Riley in 2010. He is to return to court on the same day when the case will also be mentioned before the Civil Court, where he and Riley have sued each other regarding the same matter.

Allegations are that in August 2010, Riley gave his motor car to Lawrence to effect repairs on it; however, on examining the vehicle sometime later, Riley discovered that the car's battery, radiator, and several other parts, valued at $70,000, had been removed without his consent. The matter was reported to the police, and Lawrence was subsequently arrested and charged.

Attorney-at-law Albert Morgan, who is watching the case's proceedings on Riley's behalf, told the court yesterday that his client was absent from the court's proceedings due to illness.

"My client (Riley) is not well at the moment. He has been undergoing surgery," Morgan told Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tai. "The civil matter is set for the 21st of May," the attorney added.

"So I will mention the matter on May 21. Your bail is extended until then," RM Tai told Lawrence.