Clarence Greene, the man who allegedly set the fire which destroyed the Brickdam Police Station on Saturday, was yesterday remanded after being charged with arson and an armed robbery.
Greene, 24, of Lot 2292 Howes and Russell streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, was taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where he was read the two charges. It is alleged that on October 2, at Brickdam, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously set fire to a building belonging to the state, that is to say, the Brickdam Police Station. It is also alleged that on the same date, at Water Street, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed a woman of a cellphone valued at $160,000.
The charges were taken indictably. Police prosecutor Shellon Daniels requested that both charges remain indictable. She told the court that the arson charge is currently awaiting further advice from the DPP while the file for the armed robbery charge is incomplete. She then told the court that Greene was arrested on Saturday last after he allegedly robbed the woman of her phone. The court heard that Greene was arrested by police at Leopold Street, Georgetown.
He was taken to the Brickdam Police Station where he was placed in cell number Four. She further said that a few minutes after being placed in the cell, he raised an alarm that the place was on fire. The police then removed Greene and the other prisoners and escorted them to the Sparendaam Police Station. The prisoners were later taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary, George-town, where Greene eventually admitted to starting the fire.
Prosecutor Daniels told the court that the police have video/audio recordings of Greene’s confession. They subsequently put together a file and sought legal advice after the man’s confession. The prosecutor also objected to Greene being placed on bail on the grounds that the offences are of a serious nature and if proven they have serious penalties attached.
Greene was represented by attorney-at-law Kiswana Jefford. The attorney told the court that Greene maintains his innocence. Additionally, in her application for reasonable bail, she told the court that the man is a father and the bread winner for his home. She further said that his reputed wife is pregnant and relies on him to support her.
After considering both the counsel’s and the prosecutor’s arguments, Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded Greene until October 28. She said that the offences are serious and she is considering the gravity of the destruction caused as well as the robbery which involved an offensive weapon.
While leaving the court and entering the police vehicle, Greene maintained that he was innocent and was being framed for something he didn’t do. However, it was previously reported that Greene admitted that he used a lighter which he had been arrested with and was returned to him after he continuously requested it. He admitted that he was frustrated when he used a wire and a piece of sponge from the mattress to start the fire. The Brickdam Police Station was set ablaze at 11:06 am on Saturday last. Some 80 per cent of the police station was destroyed.
