Robbery accused remanded

Strong objections by the prosecution to a grant of bail for an 18-year-old accused led to him being sent on remand at Dodds for the next 28-days.

Absalom Abejah Francis-Hunte, of no fixed place of abode, will now make his next appearance before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on September 8.

Francis–Hunte has been charged with robbing Christian Watts of a $450 chain and two rings worth $500 on August 1.

The offence is indictable and as such the accused was not required to enter a plea when he appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant this morning.

Sergeant Robert Jones objected to his bail based on the fact that Francis-Hunte has no fixed place of abode, the strength of the evidence against him and the seriousness of the alleged offence given that there was an allegation that a firearm had been used.

The officer told the court that another person was being sought in connection with the offence and there were fears that Francis-Hunte would interfere with those investigations if granted bail.

Jones also submitted that the accused was not only known to the court but also had pending matters in Criminal Court No 1 and 2.

“He is not a suitable candidate for bail,” the prosecution stated.

In his own plea for bail, the accused said that he was currently searching for work and had a child that he needed to care for.

The magistrate denied his application and he was remanded.