A vendor who allegedly used a knife to rob a man of a phone and $18,000 of cash after being refused a cigarette was today remanded to prison for the offence.
The man, Michael White of Triumph Village, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The 48-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that, on April 22, 2019, at Commerce Street, Georgetown, he, while being armed with a knife, robbed Jiram Seetram of a BLU cell phone valued $30,000, along with $18,000 cash.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman stated that, on the day in question, the victim was sitting on a bench along Commerce Street when he was approached by White, who asked for a cigarette.
The court heard that the victim refused to offer White the cigarette. Hence, White became annoyed and punched him to his face.
Seetram fell to the ground and White pulled out a knife from his pants’ waist then robbed the man of the articles mentioned in the charge. He then made good his escape.
The matter was later reported and White was arrested and charged for the offence.
Prosecutor Blackman made serious objections to bail being granted to White on the grounds of the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts.
The Magistrate, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded the vendor to prison.
He is expected to make his next court appearance on May 15, 2019.
