Jermaine Josiah, the accused robber who allegedly shot Charlestown wash bay operator Leroy Robinson on Sunday, was yesterday faced with multiple charges, including discharging a loaded firearm.
Josiah, 22, of 127 CC Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was arraigned in Georgetown before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read the charges to him.
The first charge read to the accused, who is a construction worker, stated that on June 10th, at Lot 17 Broad and Lombard streets, Charlestown, he discharged a loaded firearm at Leroy Benjamin, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause bodily harm.
It was also alleged that on the very date, at Evans Street, Charlestown, Josiah had a .38 revolver in his possession without being the holder of a firearm licence.
The final charge read to him stated that at Broad Street, on the very date, the accused, in company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Robinson of $27,000 and a $19,000 BLU cellphone.
Josiah was only required to enter a plea to the firearm possession charge, to which he pleaded not guilty, as the other charges were indictable.
Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that Robinson was only discharged from the hospital yesterday.
The Chief Magistrate subsequently remanded Josiah to prison and adjourned the matter until July 6th, when it is expected to be heard in the courtroom of Magistrate Leron Daly.
Robinson, 38, of 17 Broad and Lombard streets, Charlestown, was attacked after 9 pm, moments after he had just closed his business.
According to a police statement, Robinson was relieved of his cellular phone and a small sum of cash by an unarmed suspect, while an armed accomplice stood guard. Before they fled, the gunman reportedly shot Robinson once to his left knee.
After being alerted, a rank on motorcycle patrol apprehended the armed suspect a short distance from the scene.
Robinson told Stabroek News that when the robbery occurred, he was sitting outside. He added that he had recognised the men from the previous day because they stopped by to ask him about a ring and when the robbery occurred they mentioned the ring again.
