Two on robbery charge kept

DESPITE a lengthy plea for bail by their attorney, the two men accused of robbing Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner of her cellphone were remanded when they appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Jermaine Julian Worrell, 20, of Hinds Hill, Cave Hill, St Michael, and Renico Jamal Taylor, 19, of Division Drive, Eden Lodge, St Michael, will return to court in 28 days but had the preliminary enquiry into the matter set for January.
The two were not required to plead to robbing Virginia Irene Sandiford-Garner of her $1 000  cellphone on October 12.
Taylor was solely charged with, and pleaded not guilty to stealing a cellphone, valued at $800, belonging to Dondra Beckles on September 28.
Prosecutor Sergeant Ensley Grainger, who objected to bail, told the court a weapon was used in the robbery. That weapon was not recovered, he said.
He added the complainant was injured and had to seek medical attention.
Sergeant Grainger further revealed that Worrell had antecedents for similar offences, but Taylor was not known to the court.
“The prosecution believes that if they are granted bail, there is every likelihood that these two accused would commit similar offences and, given the high incidences of these offences being committed around the island, the prosecution believes these two should be remanded for their safety and the safety of the society,” Grainger submitted.
However, Mohia Ma’at, who represented Taylor and pointed to his educational achievements, argued Taylor “was a young man who had dreams and aspirations and like anyone else he is in pursuit of those dreams”.
He added that the 19-year-old had “never darkened the doors of the courts before” in addition to being “saddled” with the responsibility of fatherhood.
The attorney argued that while the offences were serious, so were all matters before the court.
Ma’at further submitted no offensive weapon charge had been laid against the accused, neither had the prosecution said the police had recovered the knife. He said bail could be granted with any number of conditions.
Magistrate Graveney Bannister said that after considering submissions from both sides, he would be remanding the two to HMP Dodds until November 17.
However, the magistrate set January 27 as the date for the start of the preliminary enquiry into the matters.