MONEY has been demanded from a family in order to ensure that their jailed relative, Chad Ling Chung, is not killed behind bars.

This was the claim made August 30 by defence attorney Chateram Sinanan, who is representing Ling Chung.

Ling Chung, 21, of Diego Martin reappeared before the San Fernando court charged with stealing a Nissan B15 motorcar, a $1,500 cellular phone, $60 cash, an identification card and a driver's permit from Michael Byer.

The alleged incident occurred on August 5.

At his client's first court appearance, the police asked for time to check Ling Chung's criminal background.

Sinanan objected, saying that Ling Chung had been in custody for over a week and this was sufficient time for tracing to be done.

However, Ling Chung was remanded in prison custody for the check to be made.

In his application for bail, Sinanan told Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan that during this time, a demand was made of Ling Chung's family to pay money to ensure his safety behind bars.

Rambachan told the attorney that if this were true, it was a case of extortion and ought to engage the police's attention.

Sinanan said he had spoken with the senior superintendent in the Southern Division on the issue.

Rambachan granted Ling Chung bail in the sum of $80,000 to be approved by the Clerk of the Peace.

He adjourned the matter to September 27.

Speaking with reporters following the matter, Sinanan said that $2,000 had been wire transferred by Ling Chung's family after they received a number of phone calls.

He said the threat was made that "if this money is not paid, he (Ling Chung) could be found in the prison with his throat slit." —Nikita Braxton-Benjamin