An ex-convict whom the court dubbed a “menace to society” for allegedly carrying out a series of robberies around Georgetown was today slapped with 11 charges, nine of which were for armed robbery.
Travis Payne, 26 of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where, besides his armed robbery charges, he was also accused of escaping lawful custody and intentionally discharging a firearm.
The first four charges stated that during the month of October 2018, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Rawle Ramnarine, Mohamed Ishmael, and Colin Edwards of phones and other articles valuing a total of $428,000 and also escaped from the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost while in custody for armed robbery.
It was further alleged that on May 23, 2919, at Tucville, Georgetown, he discharged a firearm at Roxcell Nepal with the intent to maim, disfigure, or cause grievous bodily harm.
It was also alleged that on April 12, 2019, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Faith Desouza of a phone valued at $48,000.
Payne is further accused of, on January 21, 2019, at Castello Housing Scheme, West Ruimvemdt, Georgetown, robbing Angela Caesar of a purse valued at $13,000 while being in the company of others and armed with a gun.
The last four charges stated that on January 30, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Randy Simons, Michael Agrica, Terrence Parke, and Ronaldo Etwaroo of phones and cash totalling $632,000.
The unrepresented man was not required to plead to the charges after they were read to him by the magistrate.
However, when given an opportunity to address the court, Payne told the magistrate that he was arrested last Monday and the ranks took him to the Kitty Seawall where they beat him and threw bricks on his toes.
He added, “They then took me through Cemetery Road and they beat me again and slap me behind my ears several times. I did not escape from [the] station; the officers took my money and told me to leave.”
Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris made serious objections to bail being granted to the defendant on the grounds of the penalty the charges attract and the prevalence of the offences. The prosecutor also highlighted the fact that the defendant is a menace to society who has been going around the city robbing persons of their valuables. The prosecutor also informed the court that the defendant was charged with a similar offence and was released from prison in 2017.
The magistrate, after listening to both sides, remanded Payne to prison. The father of one was instructed to make his next court appearance on July 15.
