A teen, who has been left paralysed after allegedly exchanging gunfire with an off-duty policeman during a robbery, was yesterday remanded to prison after charges were read to him as he lay in a stretcher.
Mark Anthony, 18, lay in a stretcher in an open area in the court compound surrounded by police officers as Georgetown Magistrate Dylon Bess read charges to him for armed robbery, the alleged possession of a firearm and ammunition and discharging a loaded firearm at a police officer.
It was alleged that on September 26, at Laing Avenue, armed with a handgun, Anthony robbed Tevin Williams of a $47,000 iPhone and a $20,000 BlackBerry smartphone.
It was also alleged that he had in his possession a .38-calibre firearm, three matching rounds and a spent shell and that with the intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm, he discharged a loaded firearm at Roger Pilgrim.
Anthony pleaded not guilty to the robbery and firearm and ammunition possession charges, while he was not required to plead to the charge for allegedly shooting at the police officer.
Police allege that Pilgrim, an off-duty police officer, was with friends in a car going east along West Front Road when Anthony confronted him and discharged several rounds.
Pilgrim, who was wounded, allegedly returned fire, hitting Anthony.
The officer, while injured, was able to relieve Anthony of his weapon and conducted a search that resulted in the discovery of the stolen phones.
Anthony and Pilgrim were both taken to the hospital for treatment.
As a result of the shooting, Anthony suffered an injury to his back and is now paralysed, the court was told.
He was remanded and the matters were adjourned to November 15.
