The man accused of robbing retired British soldier Edward John Constant, yesterday claimed that his arrest was a case of mistaken identity.
Jose Barker, 34, of Holmes Street, South Cummingsburg, who appeared again before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, told the court that the real suspect looks similar to him and they had sold pastries together.
Barker was represented by attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat, who said that the accused has been incarcerated for three weeks now and none of the stolen items has been recovered.
Police prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that statements are ready. The trial is set to begin on June 29.
Barker was on June 3, charged with the robbery. It is alleged that on May 30 at Croal Street, George-town, he stole a gold chain valued $180,000 from Constant. The charge also stated that sometime before, during or after the robbery, Barker used personal violence on the retired soldier.
Attorney Adrian Thompson had represented Barker at his arraignment and claimed that his client was charged due to a case of mistaken identity. Prosecutor Neville Jeffers had stated that the accused was positively identified by Constant during an identification parade.
Constant was robbed of a gold chain along with his late wife’s engagement and wedding rings in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market, while he was sightseeing. He had travelled to Guyana to partake in the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. Constant had been 19-years-old when he travelled to Guyana in 1966, and had served from March to October that year in the Middlesex Regi-ment. He witnessed when the Union Jack was lowered and replaced with the Golden Arrowhead that year.
