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‘Rattlesnake’ accused make brief appearance in court

Alvaro Cro, 55, left, and Victor Bahia, 32, are accused of a snake hoax (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Two men accused of spreading misinformation about a rattlesnake on the island appeared in Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

However, Victor Bahia, 32, and Alvaro Cro, 55, were told to return in November after the Crown failed to submit any disclosure.

Mr Bahia, a Brazilian national living in Sandys, has pleaded not guilty to transmitting a message through electronic communications that he knew to be false on June 26.

Mr Cro, a Portuguese national from the Azores living in Southampton, has pleaded not guilty to making a false statement to a detective constable that he knew to be false.

The incident was alleged to have happened on July 30.

The pair, who first appeared last month, were ordered to appear in Magistrates’ Court to receive evidence to be used against them in trial.

However, Taneka King, for the Crown, said she did not have disclosure for the two and did not share why.

Charles Richardson, representing Mr Cro for the defence, described the situation as “unfair”.

He said: “A month later, I don’t have a stitch of disclosure.

“I’ve been sitting here for almost an hour on my client’s dime. It’s not fair.”

Senior magistrate Maxanne Anderson adjourned the case until November 2 and extended the men’s $5,000 bail.

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