Stephan Howard, 23, of Lot 250 East La Penitence, Georgetown, appeared via Zoom at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday and denied a charge that on July 16, at the Brickdam Police Station he set fire to two mattresses in the lockups.
The court of acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus heard that the accused is known to the police. On Saturday July 15, about 1800 hours, Howard was arrested by the police at Alberttown Police Station as part of their investigation of an attempt to commit robbery under arms. He was escorted to the Brickdam Police Station lockups at about 1900 hours the same day where he was confined to a cell in the lower flat of the lockups building.
At the time he was the only prisoner in the cell. About 0600 hours on Sunday July 16, heavy smoke was observed coming from Howard’s cell prompting the ranks on duty to open the cell where they found the accused lying on a mattress in the cell. Upon closer examination it was discovered that the mattress was burnt. The ranks then escorted Howard out of the cell, and when questioned, he admitted to lighting the fire in the cell with a lighter and piece toilet tissue that he found in the same cell.
Police Prosecutor Quincy Lacon objected to bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and for the fact that the defendant has ongoing robbery and murder cases.
Bail was refused.
The matter has been adjourned to August 16 for statements.
