Two men were on Monday granted bail when they appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce charged with robbery under arms at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
According to the police, 36-year-old miner Naiem Mohamed of Vilvordeen and 25-year-old painter Deoraj Dindyal of Middlesex robbed Sewneenan Gopaul of Vergenogen, East Bank Essequibo.
The court was told that Gopaul would usually travel to the Essequibo Coast to buy and sell animals. On the night of January 16, he parked his Canter truck at Fairfield Koker Dam and went to sleep. He was awakened by the sound of someone hitting on the door of the truck and when he opened the door, the two men who were armed with a gun and a chopper dealt him chops and kicks and gun butted him. They then took duct tape and taped his hands and mouth.
The men then proceeded to rob him of $585,000, 1 driver’s licence, 2 ID cards, 1 NIS card, 1 bank book and the keys to the truck. The men made good their escape.
The matter was reported to the police and after conducting investigations, Mohamed and Dindyal were arrested and charged. Gopaul positively identified the men, the court was told.
Attorney Latchmie Dindyal represented the men who both pleaded not guilty and he asked for reasonable bail to be granted to his clients.
Police Prosecutor Haimwant Ramsewak objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence and he noted that the men are possible flight risks and will not attend their trial.
Bail was however granted by Magistrate Scarce in the sum of $400,000 each.
They will both return to court on February 12 for commencement of trial.
