A 43-year-old painter, who beat and robbed an acquaintance after the man told him he had no change to give him in return for a lift on his bicycle, was yesterday refused bail when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on a charge of robbery with violence.

Lyndie Williams of 53 Princes Street, Charlestown was not required to plead to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.

It is alleged that on December 17 last at Russell Street, Charlestown, he robbed Carl Duncan of one Seiko wristwatch valued $10,000 and $36,000 and immediately before or after used personal violence against Duncan.

Duncan, who was present at yesterday’s proceedings, told the court that the incident arose because he told Williams he did not have change to give him. He explained to the court that he knew Williams through his family. Duncan said that on the day in question the defendant offered him a drop on his pedal cycle. He said he accepted and when he was nearing his destination Williams told him he had to pay $200 for the drop, stressing that if he had taken a taxi it would have cost him $400.

Duncan said he told the defendant that he had no change but that he could pass around the next day and collect $500.

But Duncan said Williams insisted that he had to get the money and he started cuffing him, took off his wristwatch and emptied his pockets of the cash in the process.

Williams, who was unrepresented, had nothing much to say in his defence.

The magistrate subsequently refused bail and adjourned the matter to January 25 in Court Two.