Cop accused of being car stealing ring mastermind granted bail

The case against Constable Joel Lewis, the alleged mastermind behind a car stealing ring, is to continue in the St Catherine Parish Court on September 10.

That date was set when Lewis, who is attached to the Barnett Street police station in St James, appeared in court on Friday after he was offered $900,000 bail by parish judge Alicia McIntosh.

Clerk of Court Leon McHeckron opposed the bail application arguing that the policeman was the alleged mastermind in a car stealing ring and that he would interfere with the investigation and witness.

But attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend, who is representing Lewis, told the court that his client has been in custody for three weeks and deserves to be released.

Townsend further said that Lewis was assaulted by his colleagues and is yet to get medical attention.

The judge initially granted $1,000,000 bail but reduced it to $900,000 after much pleading from Townsend.

As a condition of his bail, Lewis was ordered to report to the Montego Bay Police Station three times per week and must not be seen in Kingston or St Catherine for the duration of the case.

He was also ordered to surrender his travel documents and a stop ordered placed on him at ports of entry and exit.

It is being alleged that Lewis was held in Trelawny with a motorcar that was reportedly stolen in St Catherine.

He was subsequently charged with larceny of motor vehicle.

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