A 58-year-old man accused of stealing a Galaxy smartphone was remanded in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Donovan Butler from Kingston 8 is charged with larceny by trick.

It is alleged that on July 3, Butler went to a hotel in Kingston reporting that his car and licensed firearm were stolen. The complainant told the court that he decided to help the accused by transporting him to the national security ministry to report the stolen firearm.

On arrival at the Ministry, Butler borrowed the complainant's phone to make a call while going into the office. The complainant said after waiting 15 minutes for the accused, he went inside the building and could not find Butler.

A report was lodged with the police and Butler was arrested. The accused had allegedly sold the phone prior to his arrest. The phone was recovered by the police after the arrest.

Butler will return to court on August 13.