An ex-convict was refused bail yesterday after being faced with 11 charges, including nine counts of armed robbery.
Travis Payne, 26, of 461 West Ruimveldt, was not required to plead to any of the charges, which were read to him by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.
The charges date back to October 10th, 2018, when Payne is alleged to have used a gun to rob Mohammed Ishmael of a cellphone, valued $40,000, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
It was also alleged that on the very next day, while in lawful custody at East Ruimveldt Police Outpost for an alleged armed robbery, he escaped.
According to the charges, on November 26th, 2018, Payne allegedly robbed Colin Edwards of two gold chains and a cellphone, which had the combined value $362,000. It was alleged that on January 30th, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, Payne robbed Michael Agrippa of articles valued $522,000, and Terrence Park of cash and a cellphone, valued $12,000. It was further alleged that on April 12th, 2019, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he allegedly robbed Faith DeSouza of a cellphone, valued at $48,000, and that on the July 19th, 2019, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he also allegedly robbed Raul Ramnarine of $26,000 in valuables.
The court also heard that in the company of others, Payne on January 19th, 2019, at West Ruimveldt, allegedly robbed Angela Caesar of a handbag and its contents, which were estimated at $13,500 in value; and on January 30th, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, he allegedly robbed Ronaldo Eduardo of a cellphone and cash, which carry a value of $7,800, and Randy Simon of $90,000 cash.
Payne was also charged with discharging a loaded gun at Roxselle Naipaul, with the intent to harm, on May 23rd, 2019, at Tucville, Georgetown.
Payne, who exhibited injuries, told the court that he was arrested last Monday. He said the police took him to the Kitty Seawall, where they allegedly beat him and threw bricks on his toes. “They took me through Cemetery Road and they beat me again and slap me behind my ear,” he added.
He also denied escaping from custody. He told the magistrate that the police told him he could get $60,000 bail and after he informed them that he only had half the amount, they took the money he had and told him that he could leave.
Payne, who is a clothes vendor, admitted to the court that he had been convicted for the possession of a firearm and served 37 months in prison before being released on the 14th of December, 2017.
Police prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to Payne being granted bail due to the seriousness of the armed robbery offences and the fact that Payne was arrested before for a similar gun charge. Harris also made mention of the penalty the offences attract. The magistrate subsequently upheld his objection, refused bail and adjourned the matters until July 15th.