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A bike maniac accused of stealing motorcycles, bicycles or scooters on at least six occasions will learn his fate next week when the High Criminal Court delivers its verdict.
The 26-year-old Bahraini is on trial for allegedly making off with yet another motorbike – which had the Indian victim’s phone in it – cracking his BenefitPay PIN code – a simple 123456 – and transferring BD260 to his account.
As the alleged crime took place in 2023, the defendant’s attorney claimed that he has since left his days of mischief behind, had married, and is now expecting his first child.
“I would like to request that the defendant be released on bail on humanitarian grounds,” the lawyer asked in her defence memo. “His wife is three months’ pregnant, and the defendant is responsible for her and the child’s well-being.
“He has distanced himself from anything that could endanger him or his family,” she claimed. “Now, he only cares about providing for his family and taking care of them.”
“The defendant completely denies the accusations as he has maintained throughout all stages of the investigation and trial,” the attorney said in her argument.
“The fact that the money was transferred to the defendant’s bank account does not prove that he was the one who did it, or that he can be held criminally liable for it.
“The Public Prosecution did not present documentation of the transfer of the money, or of whether the defendant is the ultimate beneficiary.
“This casts doubt on the accusations, and doubt must be interpreted in the defendant’s favour.”
She added that the BD260 was sent in three instalments, with the transfers happening seven hours apart, and questioned why the victim did not take action to freeze his bank accounts or report his phone as lost.
Despite these claims, it appeared that the suspect had admitted to wiring the money. It also appeared that he went on to steal four more motorcycles following the incident.
The Bahraini was charged with using the victim’s electronic signature for illicit ends, unlawfully accessing his digital banking, taking his money through deception, and stealing his property.
According to the criminal record, he has spent a year and eight months in prison in four bike theft cases, but was also previously accused of dining and dashing, using drugs and minor assault.
Bikes from brands including Bajaj, Aprilia, Kawasaki, Suzuki and a Saudi make called Mehdi were listed among those stolen by the defendant.
Judges set August 24 as the date for the verdict to be issued.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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