Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

The alleged mastermind behind a major car-stealing ring was remanded when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court despite arguments that he could assist the police in their investigations into the racket.

RM Winsome Henry on Wed-nesday said she preferred that Caldon Campbell, a mechanic of Ramble in Hanover, remain jailed, as the public needs to be protected from him.

Outstanding matters

Campbell, who has outstanding matters in St. Ann and Hanover, has been in custody since September. He is scheduled to return to court on December 20.

Allegations are that the complainant left his car on Union Street in Montego Bay on the night of July 26. He returned the following morning to discover that the vehicle was stolen.

Many vehicles

A report was made to police and the car was subsequently recovered among other stolen vehicles, at Campbell's home in Ramble. The complainant was reportedly able to identify his vehicle by way of the identification numbers on the car, as the licence plates had been changed.

According to defence attorney Sean Reynolds, his client was one of several mechanics who rented the property on which the stolen vehicles were found. He said that in these circumstances there is "nothing concrete" to link his client to the offence.

However, the police said that the property belongs to Campbell.