A Route 41 minibus conductor was on Tuesday granted bail by city Magistrate Alex Moore when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with robbery.
Romel Hoppey, of Lot 215 Guyhoc Park, Greater Georgetown, is accused of robbing Mario Eversley on May 28
Romel Hoppey
, 2016 in the vicinity of Durban Park of one Samsung Galaxy S5 cellular phone valued $110,000.
The charge also stated that Hoppey used personal violence upon Eversley during the robbery. When the charge was read to the defendant, the 33-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not reveal the facts of the case to the Court, but objected to bail, pointing out that the defendant had several offences of a similar nature in other courts.
The Prosecutor also informed the Court that the defendant was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for another offence that was tried at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
The unrepresented Hoppey in his defence told the Court the accusation against him stemmed from him ‘jamming’ a light on the VC’s bus and not being able to afford to pay for its replacement at the time. He told the Court that he offered the VC his cellular phone to keep as surety that he would pay for the damaged light.
Magistrate Moore subsequently granted Hoppey $75,000 bail, but then reduced it to $50,000 after Hoppey asked for a lesser amount since he could not afford substantial bail.
The case was adjourned until June 28 for statements.
