Two men, who allegedly robbed Goed Fortuin shop owner Peter Sahadeo of almost $2M in gold and diamond jewellery, were remanded to prison by Magistrate Ann McLennon at the Wales Court yesterday.
The allegation is that on August 6, at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, John Michael Kassim and Daimee Allicock, being in company with others and armed with guns, robbed Sahadeo of gold and diamond jewellery, six cellular phones, a digital camera and currency, valuing almost $2M in total.
It is also alleged that Kassim, of Uitvlugt, transported other persons to rob Sahadeo.
Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
Police Corporal Anand Sukhu told the court that Kassim, 31, served sometime in prison and came out in 2010. He further added that the accused, who is a taxi and minibus driver, has pending matters in the court.
On the night in question, the police corporal stated, Kassim was identified as one of the persons who robbed Sahadeo. Sukhu said Allicock, of Albouystown, was charged for several offences of a similar nature. Allicock, 22, he further noted, was identified by Sahadeo during an identification parade.
The corporal also told the court that the police are conducting investigations into other West Bank robberies and he said the accused were likely to be brought back to court for those offences. Sukhu also objected to bail on the grounds that both of the defendants are habitual offenders.
When given a chance to speak, Kassim complained of being beaten by the police and said that he had pains about his body—although the Magistrate noted that he appeared normal and without any pain. Allicock, who claimed that he was an amateur boxer, when given a chance to speak said, “I was picked up around lunch by the police yesterday at my residence and they told me that I had to come at the station for an ID parade… I have a chain, a ring, and four bangles, when I told them my jewellery had to lodge, they told me that it had a robbery and cash and jewels were robbed.” He noted that he was the sole breadwinner of his home, and that he had a one-month-old child and he pleaded to be put on bail.
Taking into consideration that investigations are ongoing, that the men are repeat offenders with other pending matters before the court, and their potentially being flight risks, the Magistrate denied them bail. The matter will be called again on August 25, at the Wales Court.
Sahadeo was robbed at his Lot 24 Lancaster Avenue, Goed Fortuin home last Saturday evening.
On the night of the incident, he along with his wife and son were downstairs catering to customers when nine armed robbers showed up, seven of whom invaded his shop. The family and customers were beaten and robbed during the 15-minute ordeal.
