Alleged perpetrator to face trial next week

The trial of Jose Barker, the man accused of robbing former British Soldier Edward John Constant will commence on June 29, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat, who is representing Barker, requested that Chief Magistrate McLennan give his client “the benefit of the doubt”, contending that the case is what he described as a case of “mistaken identity.”
Fung-a-Fat told the court that his client has been incarcerated for the past three weeks, for a crime he did not commit.
The Attorney further added that it was indeed very unfortunate that the tourist was robbed while on vacation in Guyana; however, the law should seek to apprehend the true perpetrator and free his client, whom he stated has no prior brushes with the law.
Five eyewitnesses are expected to testify at the trial, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court.
The case against Barker alleges that on May 30, at Croal Street, Barker robbed the British national of his gold chain valued 0,000. It is also alleged that the Charlestown man used personal violence before, during and after the offence was committed.
Barker will remain on remand until the commencement of his trial next week.
The 70-year-old former British soldier was in Guyana at the time the nation’s independence in May 1966, and had vowed to return for the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Constant was robbed of his cherished gold chain while sightseeing around Stabroek Market. The thief carted off Constant’s chain, to which was attached a diamond-crested ring belonging to his late wife.