Allan Philadelphia, the robbery accused who allegedly bit the rings from a woman’s fingers, was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court.
Philadelphia, 33, of Lot 110-111 Victoria, East Coast Demerara, was charged with the armed robbery of Laing Avenue, Georgetown, housewife Fayeanna Lewis, who lost gold jewellery and cell phones, among other items and cash, totalling $759,000 in value.
The father of two, who was represented by attorney Patrice Henry, pleaded not guilty after the Administration of Justice Act was applied (AJA). The attorney made an application for bail and related to the court that on the day of the incident his client was at home with his family and therefore could not have committed the robbery.
In narrating the police’s case to the court, the prosecutor said that on Tuesday, Lewis was at home when she was confronted by the accused and his accomplice, who held her at gunpoint and robbed her of the articles, after which they made good their escape.
The prosecutor further related that on December 7, at about 11:30am, Lewis was at the Scotia Bank when she saw Philadelphia there. As a result, the woman pointed him out to a police officer as the man who robbed her.
Lewis had said that while the man’s accomplice held her at gunpoint, he bit rings from her finger that she had trouble getting off.
The prosecutor objected to bail and the application was later granted by the magistrate, who took into consideration the seriousness and nature of the offence, including the fact that a gun was used to conduct the unlawful act and that the accused was positively identified.
As a result, he was remanded to prison until January 6.
After the decision to remand Philadelphia was made, the accused wept uncontrollably as he was escorted out of the courtroom. His sister, who was also present in court, fell to the ground and pleaded for mercy. “My brother innocent… he never robbed nobody… my brother does work hard for his things,” she said.
