T&T: Man charged with abducting former partner on $200,000 bail
A 40-year-old taxi driver from central Trinidad has been released on $200,000 bail after appearing in court charged with abducting his Venezuelan former common-law wife.
Kevin Bellile, of Waterloo Road, Carapichaima, was granted bail on Monday when he appeared virtually before Senior Magistrate Adrian Darmanie charged with kidnapping.
According to the summary of evidence in the case, which was presented during his brief court appearance, the incident is alleged to have occurred around 1.20 pm on January 2.
The victim was at her brother’s apartment in Edinburgh Village in Chaguanas when Bellile allegedly arrived and threatened to harm her relatives living in Trinidad if she did not get into his car with him.
The victim complied and was allegedly taken to a lonely street a short distance away.
The victim claimed that Bellile threw her into some bushes at the side of the road and threatened to kill her if she got up.
The victim claimed that she begged Bellile to take her home, and he eventually allowed her to get in the car.
He then allegedly took her to his home, where he kept her for several hours before he eventually took her home.
Two days later, the victim made a report at the Chaguanas Police Station. Bellile was only arrested and charged last Wednesday.
At the start of the court hearing, police prosecutors revealed that after his arrest, the victim told investigators that she no longer wanted to pursue the case against him and gave a statement indicating the same.
In applying for bail, Bellile lawyer Bhimal Maharajh stated that his client denies any wrongdoing and that the victim’s report to police stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Maharajh said that his client, a father of one, was in a relationship with the victim, and they lived together for four years.
Maharajh also called on Magistrate Darmanie to consider the recent disclosure by the police, which may lead to the charge being discontinued at a later date.
He said that his client celebrated his birthday on January 31, and the victim spent the day with him despite what she claimed occurred earlier that month.
As part of his bail conditions, Bellile was placed on a 10 pm to 5 am curfew and was ordered to stay 800 metres away from the victim.
Magistrate Darmanie warned Bellile to refrain from contacting the victim directly, indirectly or through social media.
“If you are walking the road and see her, cross the road and run away,” Magistrate Darmanie said.
Bellile is scheduled to reappear in court on March 7.
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