A youth was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with armed robbery.
Nicosie Gritten, 20, the Assistant Manager of a hotel in Paramaribo, denied that on April 9, 2014, at Georgetown, being together with another and armed with a gun, he robbed Derrick Hinds of a quantity of gold jewellery and cash, amounting to a total value of $750,000. Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail. He told the court that Gritten, of Laing Avenue, lied to the police twice by providing them with a different address and date-of-birth from that given to the court.
Jones further indicated that police are currently awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) chambers and more charges are likely to be laid against the accused.
Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith, who represented Gritten, asked for bail so that his client can prepare himself for trial. He added that his client is not a flight risk, while referring to the fact that he travels in and out of town just to attend court for a pending matter that is before another court. He said the man was also willing to abide by any condition required by the court in order for him to be granted bail.
Burch-Smith stated that his client was charged last year after the police found him together with a few others with several rounds of ammunition. He further stated that he was instructed that the police were conducting investigations as they claim his client is wanted for several other matters but the young man was unaware of them.
The attorney also expressed disappointment since no identification parade was conducted to identify his client. He also said the youth was kept in custody for six days without charge. After hearing the submissions, Magis-trate Ann McLennan refused bail and adjourned the matter to February 9.
