Fisherman, vendor slapped with robbery charge

A fisherman and a vendor on Monday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with separate robbery charges.
Michael Scott, a fisherman of David Street, McDoom, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he allegedly committed an armed robbery.
The charge read by Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus stated that on February 12, Scott, while on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, in the company of others and armed with a gun, stole one Toyota Allion valued at $3 million, a Samsung Galaxy cellphone valued at $75,000 along with a radio set valued $20,000, a lunch pack valued $5000 and $3000 along with some documents.
Scott, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-A-Fat, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
During a bail application, the defence counsel argued that the man was picked out during an improper ID parade sometime after the alleged robbery.
He further added that there were no articles found on his client’s person nor did he make a confession. As such, Fung-A-Fat requested bail be granted to his clent.
However, the Police prosecutor objected to bail, informing the court that the value of the stolen items is high. In addition, he submitted that the defendant was positively identified during the ID parade by the Virtual Complainant.
Scott was refused bail and the case was adjourned to March 15.
Meanwhile, also appearing before Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus to answer to a robbery charge was a 23-year-old market vendor, Lawrence Kato. The charge stated that on February 19, at Bugle Street, Georgetown, while in the company of others, he robbed Ramchand Singh of US$2300 along with $305,000.
Kato, who hails from Samata Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty.
Attorney-at-Law Kiswana Jefford during her bail application informed the court that her client was beaten while in Police custody.
The Police prosecutor objected to bail, adding that sometime after the incident, the Virtual Complainant saw the suspect in the market and was able to identify him. As such ranks were summoned and he was arrested.
Kato was, however, released on $75,000 bail. The case will continue on April 1. (G15)