Twenty-four-year-old canter driver Condell Padmore was granted bail totaling $800,000 after appearing before Chief Magistrate (acting) Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, facing two counts of simple larceny allegedly committed on separate occasions.
Padmore, residing at Lot 106 New Housing Scheme, Sparendam, East Coast Demerara, is accused of stealing a quantity of textile fabric valued at $1.4 million on November 28, 2025, at Houston, East Bank Demerara. He pleaded not guilty to this charge.
He faces a second charge for allegedly stealing ten rolls of construction fabric valued at $1.5 million from Shaheed Persaud on November 26, 2025, also pleading not guilty.
In his bail application, attorney Melvin Duke argued that Padmore was merely following instructions from an employer to transport textiles from various locations, asserting that he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing. Duke contended that Padmore has no pending matters and posed no flight risk, as his family is well-known in the Sparendam area.
However, the prosecution objected to the bail request, highlighting the seriousness of the offences, which involved high-value items and occurred on two separate days. The prosecutor noted Padmore’s history with the legal system, mentioning previous charges, including robbery and simple larceny.
The court heard that investigators had obtained video footage allegedly showing Padmore in the canter used to transport the stolen goods. The prosecution argued that the virtual complainant never authorized the removal of the items, raising safety concerns about the complainant as well.
When questioned about the foundation of their objections, the prosecution could not provide evidence indicating that Padmore posed a real risk of failing to return to court. This prompted Magistrate McGusty to inquire whether the objections were based on solid evidence.
Padmore explained to the court that he was instructed by his employer to make the pickups, admitting he is not well-acquainted with Georgetown due to his East Coast origins. He stated that he followed instructions and assisted police in locating a drop-off point, claiming some stolen items were recovered. The prosecution contradicted this assertion, stating that no materials had been recovered.
The magistrate asked Padmore to assist law enforcement in identifying the drop-off points of the remaining goods. After considering all submissions, Magistrate McGusty granted bail of $400,000 for each charge, totaling $800,000. Padmore is required to report to the Agricola Police Station every third Friday of each month and is scheduled to return to court on January 14, 2026.
