Twenty-six-year-old Paul Bascom was granted $1.8 million bail by Magistrate Leslie Sobers at the Providence Magistrate Court, last Thursday despite strong objections by the prosecution.
It is alleged that on September 17, 2012, Bascom at Diamond Housing Scheme, being armed with a gun, robbed Bibi Samaroo of $25,000.
It is also alleged that on that date, he discharged a loaded firearm at Bibi Samaroo with intent to maim, disfigure and cause grievous bodily harm.
In addition, it is alleged that Bascom on November 10, 2012, had in his possession, a .380 pistol without being registered as a licensed firearm holder.
He is also alleged to have had one round of .380 ammunition in his possession, without the permission of the relevant authorities.
Bascom made his first court appearance on December 3 and was remanded to prison.
Attorney Melville Duke, who represented the accused, submitted that his client has been incarcerated since November.
Prosecutor Shellon Daniels objected to bail on the grounds that according to the new firearms law, in order for an accused to be granted bail, there needed to be a special reason.
After careful consideration, Magistrate Sobers granted the accused bail in the sum of $400,000 for the charge of armed robbery; $1 million for unlawfully discharging a weapon and $200,000 each for the charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition.
He will make his next court appearance on April 16 for the continuation of his trial.
