By Racquel Porter
A former Jamaica Defence Force soldier who confessed to giving his uniform to his friend who wanted to impress girls, was today offered $500,000 bail on a charge of aiding and abetting.
Fabian Mitchell was offered bail following an application from his attorney, Tameika Harris, in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court.
When the matter was called up, the court was told that the uniform and a pair of shoes belonging to Mitchell were found in a car his co-accused, Zidon Smith, was driving.
The court was also told that on October 26, Smith, who was further remanded today, was driving a Honda Civic in the Olympic Gardens area in the vicinity of a check point, when the police noticed that the vehicle spun around and sped off.
The vehicle was subsequently intercepted on Brighten Avenue.
During a search of the car, an illegal firearm was found.
A knapsack containing the uniform was also discovered.
Smith told the police that he is a member of the JDF and that Mitchell had given him the uniform.
Further checks revealed that Smith was never a JDF member.
Mitchell is charged with aiding and abetting, unauthorised use of military uniform and conspiracy to deceive. Smith is charged with false pretence and conspiracy to deceive as well as unauthorised use of military declaration.
Prior to granting Mitchell bail, the judge asked Miss Harris whether the allegations against her client are true.
In her reply, the attorney told the court that her client's instruction is what she termed "drenched in naivety".
He is to return to court on February 27, next year.
The prosecution is to provide disclosure by January 23.
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