Youth accused of attacking elderly man in Belmont Road denied bail

A 28-year-old St Michael man charged with robbing and inflicting serious bodily harm on a senior citizen on Belmont Road earlier this month will spend the next 28 days at Dodds Prison after being denied bail in a Bridgetown Court on Monday.

Jaquan Janeil Rasheed Stoute, of Marhole Gap, Halls Road, St Michael, appeared in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court accused of robbing Jeffrey Barrow on May 15 of $340, and that with intent to maim, disfigure or disable Barrow, he unlawfully wounded him on that same date. Both matters were indictable, and Stoute was not required to plead.

Prosecutor Sergeant Reginald Blackman strongly objected to Stoute’s release, telling the court that although the accused has no prior convictions, he is already on bail from the same court for several matters, including a similar offence—as recently as April. He further argued that granting bail again would not be in the public interest.

“The prosecution strongly believes that if the accused is granted bail, he would undermine and jeopardise the objectives or the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, including the bail system…The evidence is very strong and the prosecution believes that if he is granted bail, this can cause a real disturbance in the community and the nation on a whole. As a result of the alleged matter, the complainant suffered injuries, and there is a medical report to substantiate the charge,” Blackman submitted to the court.

Attorney Johnell King, who appeared on behalf of Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens, asked that the matter be fast-tracked to the High Court.

Magistrate Manila Renee remanded Stoute until June 23.