Annmarie Marcano, the former maid of cricket superstar Brian Charles Lara, has pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing more than $20,000 worth in items from Lara's home when she appeared in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates' Court, yesterday.
Marcano, 52, of Cameron Hill, Maraval, stood before Magistrate Brian Dabideen when the charges were read to her. She is alleged to have stolen one bottle of Angostura rum, valued $1,600; nine Oakley sun glasses, valued US$2,700; five tie pins, valued $525; a Cartier silver pen, with the writings engraved, "688 runs... Well done!" and one bottle of Taittinger champagne, valued $650. According to the charges, the alleged offences took place at Lara's Knaggs Hill, Port-of-Spain, home between January 2005 and February 3, 2010. Marcano was represented by attorney Mario Merrit who asked that items taken from his client's home, which did not form part of the charges, be returned. Dabideen granted the order.
He also lashed out at the non-appearance of Bassie Ramsaroop, the person identified as standing the $60,000 bail granted to Marcano by Justice of the Peace Oliver Boodhu. The magistrate also questioned whether Ramsaroop was a professional bailor and if Marcano had paid money to have her bail taken.
Marcano responded that she did not know Ramsaroop and if any money was paid.
"Under the Bail Act it is an offence to pay someone to take your bail. I hope this (Ramsaroop) is not a professional bailor," Dabideen said. He also lashed out at Ramsaroop for failing to attend court. He said Ramsaroop's role as a bailor was to ensure the accused person attended court and Ramsaroop should have been in court since it was the first time the accused appeared in court after she was granted bail by a JP. Marcano was arrested at her home by police last Wednesday. The matter was adjourned to Thursday when Ramsaroop is expected to be in court.
