Three men who allegedly attempted to rob a Berbice businessman of $600,000 were yesterday placed before the acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer to the charge of attempted robbery under arms.
Patrick Smith of Albouystown, Lorris Mussenden of Lot 101 Granville Park, ECD and Azal Khan of Number Two Canal West Bank Demerara were charged with the offence. The court heard that on October 14, at Mahaicony, being armed with a gun the three accused attempted to rob Bissoondial Seepersaud of $600,000. The defendants were not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to them at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
In narrating the facts, Prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that on the said day, the virtual complainant (VC) left home to conduct business on the West Coast Berbice. When he arrived at the location two cars pulled up: Smith and Mussenden were in car number PKK 4923 and Khan was in a red Toyota number HA 559.
The prosecutor said that the number one and two accused approached the VC’s vehicle brandishing a hand gun and while attempting to rob him they discharged two rounds. On hearing the shots, public-spirited citizens went to the scene but the defendants got into their vehicles to make good their escape.
However, acting on information received, police ranks stopped the vehicle which was operated by the number one and two accused who were questioned and subsequently charged.
Attorney George Thomas who represented the number two and three accused applied for bail. He told the court that Khan (the number three accused) has no knowledge of the offence, stating that his client was picked up from his house on the day in question and taken to the police station.
The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that Smith and Mussenden are not first time offenders and they have pending matters before the court.
The magistrate overruled the application and the matter was transferred to the Mahaicony Magistrates’ Court for October 31.
