(Trinidad Express) Bail was again denied to former Express crime reporter Akile Simon when he reappeared in the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with possession of arms and ammunition.
Magistrate Gail Gonzales said she was not willing to grant bail given that Simon had several matters of a similar nature pending before the Arima Magistrates’ Court before remanding him into custody at Golden Grove Prison, Arouca.
When the matter was called shortly after 9 a.m., police prosecutor Sgt Doodnath Ramnath said the prosecution was objecting to bail given that Simon had a number of pending charges including robbery and firearm and ammunition possession.
Ramnath said the prosecution was also objecting to bail on the basis that Simon allegedly committed new offences while out on bail.
However, defence attorney Keith Scotland, who is representing Simon, argued that the first set of charges arose out of a single incident on May 20, in Arouca.
On that day, Simon, along with former TV6 cameraman Brendon Alexander, security officer Marlie Charles and taxi-driver Randy Borris allegedly attempted to carry out an armed robbery at the K&A Liquor Mart while posing as police officers.
Simon is also facing a series of charges relating to another robbery at the home of Justin Maharaj at Eastern Main Road, Arima on March 17, and stealing a safe containing TT$120,000, US$38,000, £5,000, Can$500, and TT$90,000 worth of gold jewelry, while impersonating a police officer.
Around 6 p.m., last Sunday, Simon, along with gardener Rodney Cave, 28, was arrested at Cave’s home at the corner of Meade and Henry Streets, El Dorado, by officers attached to the Eastern Division after the items were allegedly found in the house.
Cave was charged with having five cartridges of 12-gauge ammunition in his possession and was granted bail in the sum of TT$50,000 yesterday.
They will both reappear in the Tunapuna Court on July 31.
Today, Simon, Alexander, Borris and Charles are all scheduled to reappear in the Arima Court with regard to the offences allegedly committed on May 20.
