Twenty-one-year-old Isaiah Griffith, also called ‘Max’, appeared yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty to face five charges of robbery under arms.
The first charge alleged that on December 17, 2024, at Robb Street, Georgetown, and while in the company of another and armed with a gun, Griffith robbed Alfred Chinos of an iPhone cellphone valued at $220,000. Griffith pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The second charge alleged that on December 17, 2024, while in the company of another and armed with a gun, Griffith robbed Angel McKenzie of $340,000 in cash. Griffith pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Griffith’s third charge alleged that on January 26 this year, at George Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, he robbed Zhao Fengzhi of one Samsung Galaxy phone. Griffith pled not guilty to the charge.
The fourth charge alleged that on January 26, at George Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, Griffith robbed Jiang Ji Liang of one Redmi cellphone valued at $62,000. Griffith pleaded not guilty to the charge.
And the fifth charge alleged that on January 26, at George Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, while armed with a knife, Griffith robbed Jin Bo Hu of $334,800 cash. Griffith pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Griffith’s defence attorney, Stacy Goodings, told the court that her client was a 21-year-old-labourer with a fixed place of abode at 26 Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown. The attorney also stated that her client had another matter pending in another court and requested that he be placed on reasonable bail. She further stated that her client informed her that during his arrest he was punched in the stomach and mouth by police officers.
When questioned, Griffith detailed the events to Magistrate McGusty saying that on Sunday night when he was arrested, he was shown a video by police officers, and was then asked if he was the individual shown in the video. After asserting he was not the individual in the video, he said he was punched in his mouth and stomach. He also told the court that he is capable of pointing out the officers who punched him.
The prosecutor objected to bail citing the nature and severity of the offences and the possibility that the accused may tamper with a witness since he knows where one of them lives. A request was also made to have the accused provide a medical report with regard to the allegation of assault by the police officers.
However, the magistrate interjected, pointing out that the accused had been in police custody since Sunday and why was it they were only now requiring him to provide a medical.
Bail was refused with Magistrate McGusty stating that she has to take the prosecution’s point of potential tampering with a witness seriously, as well as the fact that the offences were allegedly committed while the accused was on bail for another matter.
Griffith remains in police custody.
The matter was adjourned to February 19 for report and statements.