Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

A trial date has been set for November 30 in the matter against a Hanover man facing charges of robbery with aggravation, kidnapping and receiving stolen property, in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

Brenton Harvey, 20-year-old of Askenish, Hanover, was charged in July after he was seen driving a car just six hours after the vehicle was stolen from a taxi operator in St. James. He had his $100,000 bail extended on Friday.

Attorney-at-law Morrel Beckford will represent him.

The Crown is alleging that on July 16, the complainant was at the car park on Creek Street, in Montego Bay, about 11:15 p.m. when a man approached him and enquired whether he was going to Granville, St. James.

When the complainant told the man that he was heading in that direction; the man and three other men boarded the taxi.

Further allegations are that on reaching a section of the Fairfield main road, one of the passengers placed his hand over the complainant's mouth, put a knife at his neck, and ordered him to drive to a dark spot.

The complainant obeyed and when he brought the car to a stop, his attacker told his accomplice in the front passenger seat to tie the complainant with his shoelace.

The complainant was also gagged with his shirt, bound and placed in his car trunk. He was also beaten with pieces of iron and later left in bushes at Ironshore where he was further kicked all over the body when it was discovered that he was still alive.

It is said that he pretended to be dead after allegedly hearing the men contemplating to kill him.

After the men left with the car, his cellular phone valued at $3,000, and $3,000 in cash, the complainant went to the Coral Gardens Police where he made a report.

The court heard that six hours later, Harvey was found in possession of the car in Askenish, Hanover, without the licence plates attached.

He allegedly told the police that he got the car from a man named Junior Reid, to carry out repairs.