The three men accused of robbing pregnant Port Kaituma woman Jacqueline James of $7 million in cash and raw gold were yesterday remanded to prison when they made their appearance before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation is that on October 15 at Port Kaituma, Kevin Wong, a gold miner of 126 Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EDB), Faraz Muhamedeen of 132 Pearl, EBD, and Neil Singh of 9 Pearl, EBD, being armed with a gun robbed Jacqueline James of $6 million and a quantity of raw gold valued $1 million.
The three men who are jointly charged were not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge of robbery under arms.
Additionally, Wong was slapped with charges of unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession and unlawful wounding to which he pleaded not guilty.
It is alleged that on October 15 at Port Kaituma, Kevin Wong had in his possession one .32 pistol and four live rounds of .32 ammunition.
On the same day also, the 22-year-old is accused of maliciously wounding Police Corporal Emrit Winter with intent to maim, disfigure, or cause him grievous bodily harm.
When initially asked by the magistrate to plead to the offences for which he alone was charged, Wong admitted guilt. Attorney-at-law Mohamed Zafar was however heard whispering from the bar table, “not guilty” to his client who stood just behind him in the docks.
The magistrate cautioned the lawyer that he needed not prompt the defendant, stressing that he should be given the opportunity to enter a plea of his choice.
“Don’t tell the accused how to plead Mr Zafar, that should come from his own free will,” the magistrate ordered.
Zafar in his address asked the court to take note that his client was “badly beaten by the police”. The lawyer pointed to a number of cuts and scrapes on his client’s face, claiming that the police were responsible for the injuries.
The attorney then told the court that his client has no antecedents. Muhamedeen and Singh were both unrepresented by counsel.
Prosecutor Lionel Harvey in giving the facts of the case said that on the day in question, the three invaded the woman’s home and after dealing her a severe licking, made good their escape with the items mentioned in the charge.
Harvey said Winter who was dispatched to the scene, was confronted by the three whom he tried to subdue and was shot in the process.
According to the prosecutor, quick action by the police and public-spirited citizens soon led to the capture of the men.
The magistrate then remanded the men to prison and their matters were transferred to the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court for November 2 for statements.
Meanwhile, Winter remains in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) while James has been given a clean bill of health by doctors at a private institution.