Father of 5 accused of robbery released on $200,000 bail

Last week, a father of five, who is facing robbery charges, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was granted bail. Golder miner Kirth Smith, 45, was granted $200,000 bail last Monday by Magistrate Rhondell Weever.
The Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) man, who also listed a second address as D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, is accused of robbing Onessa Thorne on October 16, 2023, at Water Street, Georgetown, of a black purse worth $10,000 containing $1 million cash. On October 23, he was first arraigned for the crime and was placed on remand.

At Smith’s court appearance last Monday, the Police prosecutor maintained her previous objections to the robbery accused being released on bail. Her objections were based on the seriousness of the crime and the severe punishment it carries.
The prosecutor had disclosed that Smith bought goods with the stolen money, some of which were found at the Crane address that he listed. The prosecutor went on to state that after the Police were unable to locate Smith at the Georgetown address, they found him at the Crane address.
Smith’s attorney, Donavon Rangiah, informed the court during a bail application that his client is the only provider for his family and has no past criminal history. The attorney stated that his client was prepared to follow any terms imposed on bail.
The defence lawyer informed the presiding Magistrate that his client would periodically visit his reputed wife at the WCD address. The lawyer argued that the prosecutor has not submitted a “scintilla” of evidence to prove that his client is a flight risk or that he will abscond his trial.
Magistrate Weever in the end stated that she was inclined to grant the accused his pre-trial release, with the condition that he turn in his passport to the Clerk of Court of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and report every two weeks to the Brickdam Police Station starting on December 8. December 13 is Smith’s next court date.