Despite his claim that he was an innocent bystander, a construction worker was remanded to prison yesterday after being arraigned on two separate robbery charges.
It is alleged that on January 6, at Middle and Carmichael streets, Georgetown, Neil Clarke, being together with others and armed with a knife, robbed Lakeram Rooplall of a quantity of cash and valuables amounting to $31,200.
Clarke, of Lot 164 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It is also alleged that Clarke, with intent to commit a felony, attempted to rob Delroy Griffith. He denied this charge also.
Prosecutor Michael Grant told Chief Magis-trate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1 that at about 12:30am, the two victims were at the Promenade Gardens when Clarke and two others, all armed with knives, went up to Rooplall, placed a knife to his neck and robbed him.
Grant added that another person who was with Clarke attempted to rob Griffith but failed after public-spirited citizens rescued the victims. The attack was reported to the police and Clarke was held and positively identified at an identification parade by the two victims as one of the two perpetrators, the court heard.
Clarke, however, proclaimed his innocence and said he was an innocent bystander. “My worship, please, I begging you to be lenient with me and grant bail. I have a young child home along with my child mother home,” he said.
“My worship, I was indeed in the gardens at the time but I didn’t rob these two guys. I was under a tree there just burning a cigarette then I just see the two men jump the fence and rob the people,” he added.
However, the prosecution also told the court that Clarke, under the name of Wendell Clarke, was charged and previously convicted for a similar crime.
Bail was subsequently refused and the matter was adjourned to February 13.
