A man accused of robbing a woman of a $60,000 gold band was on Friday remanded to prison by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation against Chris Nurse, 23, is that on January 12, at Georgetown, he robbed Villawattie Rampersaud of her gold band.
The pork-knocker, who resides at 173 Sugarcane Street, South Ruimveldt, denied the robbery charge when it was read to him.
Police sergeant Lionel Harvey said that at the time of the incident, Rampersaud was seated behind the driver’s seat in a route 45 minibus at an open window when the accused snatched her band from her hand. An alarm was subsequently raised and public-spirited citizens, who immediately gave chase, apprehended the accused and handed him over to the police, he said.
The court also heard that a piece of the band, which burst when the accused snatched if from Rampersaud’s hand, was recovered on his person while the other piece was left with her.
When given a chance to speak, Nurse said that he was innocent. According to him, he was at the time proceeding to the Bounty Supermarket on Water Street to purchase diapers and other items for his two-month old son, when a group of men collared him. He said he was later escorted to the police station by the men and he was arrested and charged.
According to him, he had only moments before journeyed from Plaisance to purchase the items for his son.
He said too that while at the station, Rampersaud indicated to the police that he was not the one who had snatched her chain but added that the lawmen ignored this and went ahead and instituted the charge against him. He alleged too that he was beaten by the police and relieved of the petty cash he was carrying at the time the men collared him.
Harvey objected to the accused being granted bail, stating that he was previously arrested for similar offences but the complainants in those matters decided against pursuing the cases. He then contended that it was the view of the prosecution that if granted bail, there is a likelihood that the defendant would not return to court to stand trial and would commit similar offences.
After listening to the case, the unemployed Nurse was informed that he would be remanded to prison. His matter was transferred to Court Ten for January 17 for reports and fixtures.
