Suspected jewel thief stands trial before jury

(CNS): A 35-year-old George Town man charged with robbery and various other crimes in connection with a jewellery heist during the Christmas holidays of 2011 beganhis trial Tuesday before a six man, one woman jury panel. The robbery took place at 11:20am on 22 December during broad daylight in downtown George Town when the capital was packed with cruise ship visitors and shoppers. The crown alleges that Julio Newball and two other armed but unknown accomplices entered the store with an axe and proceeded to smash into display cases positioned to the front of the store in Cardinal Avenue and made off with a selection of valuable jewellery.

The men had arrived and escaped in a Toyota Rav4 vehicle, which had been stolen from Bodden Town and was found burnt out hours after the daylight robbery.

Newball, who has denied the charges, has had several previous trial dates, which have been postponed due to legal arguments and representation issues. He is faced with a considerable number of crimes, including robbery, handling stolen property and possession of criminal property. He is also alleged to have stolen the Rav 4 a day prior to the robbery, and is charged with driving whilst disqualified and arson. Newball is accused of stealing a total of 36 rings that were reported stolen during the jewel heist, which were valued in thousands of dollars.

The getaway vehicle was stolen from Bodden Town and was found burnt out by police on Wahoo Close in George Town shortly after the crime but police were unable to identify any other suspects or make further arrests in connection with the robbery, which the prosecution said involved at least two other men.

Newball was arrested at his home in Windsor Park a few weeks after the crime in January of last year with proceeds from the crime in his possession and has been in custody ever since.

The Grand Court jury trial continues in front of Justice Alex Henderson.