An Indian man accused of stealing sandals from the Bargain Box thrift shop saw the charges against him dropped by the Crown.Shamara Mulkh, a 52-year-old chef, was charged with theft on June 3.According to the Crown, the $29 sandals were stolen from the Serpentine Road shop in May this year.Mr Mulkh initially pleaded guilty, but then reversed his plea after duty defence lawyer Ken Savoury stepped in to assist him.Mr Savoury explained the defendant was not fluent in English and had not fully understood what was happening.Magistrate Juan Wolffe adjourned the case at that time, and bailed Mr Mulkh. He directed that he should return to court for trial , August 5, and should bring an interpreter and defence lawyer.On Friday, he returned with both. However, prosecutor Karen King told Acting Magistrate Maxanne Anderson: “The Crown is going to offer no evidence.”Ms Anderson told Mr Mulkh: “The case is dismissed and you’re free to go.”Ms King did not explain the decision during the hearing, but later told this newspaper it was “due to witness unavailability”.