Norton Street taxi driver compensates man for damaging vehicle

Kelvin Thomas, a 37-year-old taxi driver from Norton Street, Georgetown, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday, facing a charge of damage to property, marking another case in a long history of alleged criminal behaviour.
Thomas pleaded not guilty to the allegation that, on January 24, he damaged a motor vehicle belonging to Renica Persaud at Church Street, Georgetown. The incident reportedly caused damage to a glass window and a car door handle, with the total cost of repairs estimated at $74,473.
During the hearing, Thomas told the Magistrate that he intends to reimburse the complainant for the damaged items. Thomas, on the instructions of the Magistrate, gave Persaud $70,000 and said that he would pay the remaining balance later in the day.
Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, who presided over the case, then placed Thomas on self-bail and urged him to appear on the next scheduled court date, where the remainder of the money would be paid. The matter has been adjourned to February 6, 2026.
This is not the first time Thomas has faced serious charges. In August 2025, he was remanded on two separate larceny charges in Georgetown.
On August 22, he allegedly stole a gold chain valued at $285,000 from Lucille Reynolds at the intersection of Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street. The following day, he was accused of snatching a gold band worth $175,000 from Shadyah Kayum at Croal and Longden Streets, Stabroek. CCTV footage captured the second incident, helping authorities identify and arrest him.
At the time, Thomas pleaded not guilty, explaining in court that he had young children, including an unborn baby, and cared for his grandmother. However, the prosecution opposed bail due to the serious nature of the offences and the frequency of his alleged criminal activities. Acting Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman denied bail, citing the gravity of the matters and the need to protect the public.
Thomas’s criminal record extends further back to 2024, when he was remanded for allegedly stealing a gold bangle from a vendor at Stabroek Market.
He had pleaded not guilty to the larceny charge, which stated he allegedly stole a gold bangle valued at $150,000.
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor objected to bail, noting that the victim identified the accused to police and that the stolen gold bangle was retrieved. Bail was also objected to due to the nature and gravity of the offence committed. However, the Magistrate granted him bail.