An acting vice-principal of a secondary school on Tuesday allowed a man to walk free, after he refused to give evidence against the man, who was accused of robbing him.

Ramdath Balkissoon, in answer to police prosecutor Shireen Theodore-Persad, said he was not threatened and nothing was promised to him if he did not proceed with the matter.

Balkissoon, acting vice principal of San Fernando Secondary Comprehensive, said he wanted to discontinue the case because he was needed at the school and the matter had been going on for some time.

Balkissoon told the San Fernando Fourth Magistrates' Court he was robbed almost ten months ago and that he no longer wanted to give evidence against 26-year-old Earl Ayers.

Ayers, of Pleasantville, was charged with the November 3, 2007 burglary at Balkissoon's Scott Street, San Fernando home. It was alleged he stole a cellular phone valued at $2,000, and a pair of pants and a shirt, together valued $750. Ayers pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was laid by Cpl Jankienanan, who was then attached to the Gasparillo Police Station.

"Consider yourself fortunate," Magistrate Alexander Prince told Ayers as he was allowed to leave the courtroom.

Balkissoon was told he could never continue the matter at any court.

The items were recovered and returned to Balkissoon, the court heard.