(Antigua Observer) St. John’s Antigua- Thirty-seven-year-old Sherwin Carty, also known as “Baah Bastini” of Guyana, appeared in court yesterday for the first time since police cast an island-wide dragnet for him in connection with an August 18 kidnapping in Ottos.
Carty, along with his co-accused Hezekiah Parker and Kareem Gardiner are jointly charged with persons unknown for conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Another accused, Kerry “Dollar man” Oliver of Pigotts is charged only with conspiracy to commit murder.
The men were remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison following their appearance in St John’s Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The charges they face are indictable and ones for which the magistrate has no jurisdiction to grant bail. Application for bail must therefore be made before a judge in the High Court.
In addition, two women have each been charged with making a false statement to the investigating officer about the kidnapping, and perverting the course of justice. Both have since been granted bail.
All of the accused persons are set to reappear in court on November 7. The women are to be tried separately.
According to the victim of the alleged kidnapping, he was held up at gunpoint in Ottos, tied up and forced into a vehicle. He managed to escape in the Barnes Hill/Cedar Grove area and notified police.
An all-points bulletin has since been issued for a yet another man, who has managed to remain in hiding.
He is Joseph “Jubah” James of Villa. James is in his 20s and said to be five feet, eight inches tall and slimly built.
Lawmen are urging persons who might know of James’ whereabouts to contact the Criminal Investigations Department (462-3913/4), Police Intelligence Unit (720-6085), Crime Stoppers (800-TIPS (8447) or the nearest police station immediately.
