Robbery-accused teens remanded after court rejects sureties

Two teenagers facing a robbery charge have been remanded to Dodds prison as their sureties were not found suitable by Magistrate Bernadeth John.

Serrian Jamali Scott-Fegan, 19, of Jackman’s Alley, Orange Hill, St James and Donavan Randolph Hazel, 16, of Independence Gap, Hindsbury Road, St Michael, appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday accused of robbing Keon Thomas of two cell phones valued $1 400 and one watch valued $180 on October 3, 2023.

They were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Objecting to bail, Constable Troy Tudor cited the seriousness of the offence, fears of the accused reoffending, and the need to protect society from the accused and the accused from themselves. He also pointed out that Scott-Fegan was known to the court.

Scott-Fegan urged the court to consider bail.

“I am going to go out and do things differently,” he said, stating that he had already acquired a form from the government’s Skills Training Programme to make such steps.

Hazel’s plea was similar. He said he was filling out forms to join the Barbados Youth Advance Corps.

“I do not see the utility of sending you two up to Dodds to deal with the big men up there, but you will have to be under strict bail conditions,” John said before calling the sureties.

However, after a check, one surety was found to be known to the court and the other was also deemed unsuitable. The accused were therefore remanded into custody until November 7, 2023.

“It is unfortunate to me that you will be up there mixing with the hardened criminals, but do not learn any new bad habits. Do yourselves that favour, please,” Magistrate John told the teens.