Gas station attendant charged with robbery

A 22-year-old man was remanded to Dodds today on an indictable robbery charge.

Atsu Kehinde Tese Jones, of Kendal Hill Tenantry B, Christ Church will make his next court appearance on May 28.

Jones, a gas attendant, is accused of robbing Lisa Brewster of three rings worth $850 and $250 cash; Renee Redmas of $60 cash; as well as Natasha Scantlebury of a chain and pendant worth $800 and a $100 pair of earrings.

He could not enter a plea to the March 31 indictable charge before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes. Rather, he will have to face judge and jury in the High Court.

Sergeant Theodore McClean submitted that the accused should not be released at this time on several grounds.

The prosecutor pointed to the nature and seriousness of the charge and the need to protect society. McClean also objected to bail based on the strength of the evidence against the accused. He argued that although it was Jones’ first time before the court he had “started at the higher end of the scale” as well as the fact that the property had not yet been recovered and allegations that a firearm had been used.

However, attorney-at-law Dwight Moseley said his client was a good and fit candidate for bail as he was not known and maintained his innocence of the charge.

The lawyer stated that at this stage the charge before the court was a mere allegation and was not so serious that he should be denied bail.

“The strength of the evidence, that is subjective at this stage and . . . without seeing that evidence we can’t say whether it is strong. My client maintains he is an innocent man . . . he is not a hooligan.”

Moseley countered the prosecution’s objections that a firearm had been allegedly used.

“He is saying he never committed any offence hence why they never found a firearm,” said the defence lawyer who added that his client was willing to submit to any bail conditions.

Chief Magistrate Weekes after listening to submissions stated that the charge against the young man was “very, very serious” as he is alleged to have robbed three people. He then ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded the accused to the St Philip institution.