A security guard, whose mother claimed that he was mentally disturbed, was remanded to prison for allegedly nicking a woman’s handbag at Church Street, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Garfield Edwards, 23, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty and pleaded not guilty to the larceny charge. It is alleged that on July 15th at Church Street, Georgetown, he stole from Shafeena Ali $20,500 worth of cash and items.
In addressing the court, Edwards said he recently started working as a security guard.
Police prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that Ali was waiting to cross the road while heading to work when Edwards rode up beside her and snatched her handbag containing her money amongst other personal belongings. He was caught by police officers who were in the area at the time.
Edwards was remanded to prison and Magistrate McGusty adjourned the matter to July 31st but Edwards’ mother asked the court to grant him bail. She told the magistrate that her son suffers from mental health problems and asked that he be sent for an evaluation. The magistrate assured her that Edwards would be sent for evaluation but bail would not be granted. The magistrate said until it is proven that the defendant is indeed mentally disturbed, it is not safe for him to be amongst civilians because he is allegedly causing trouble.
