A street vendor was yesterday placed on $125,000 bail after he denied battering and robbing a woman of her gold chain at the Stabroek Market.
Christoff Braithwaite, of 19 ‘A’ George Street, Werk-en-Rust, was arraigned at the George-town Magistrates’ Courts yesterday for allegedly robbing Shavanya Wallace of a gold chain, valued $25,000, and for brutalising her at the Stabroek Market on January 23. He vehemently denied committing the offence.
It is the police’s case that Braithwaite saw Wallace and proceeded to snatch her gold chain and $10,000, she had in her possession. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant also told the court that Braithwaite pushed Wallace to the ground, causing her to receive injuries. He added that the matter was reported to the police and Braithwaite was later arrested.
Braithwaite told the court that he is innocent while Wallace, who was present at the arraignment, rebutted by saying that she was sure he was the one. “I saw his face when he pushed me on the ground,” the woman told Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who read the charge to Braithwaite.
No objections were made to Braithwaite receiving bail, save for him lodging his passport. Subsequently, the Chief Magistrate set bail at $125,000 and ordered Braithwaite to lodge his passport. He was also told that that he must report to Brickdam Police Station’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Friday at 3pm. The case was adjourned until March 3, when statements are expected to be filed.
