A 23-year-old man who allegedly robbed a 71-year-old man of $74,900 cash on Sheriff Street was remanded to prison when he appeared before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Leon Chapman of 52 East Ruimveldt pleaded not guilty to the charge of robbery.

It is alleged that on June 22 the accused robbed 71-year-old Amin Spence of the said cash, property of Jus Water Incorporated.

Chapman told the court that on the said day he was riding along Sheriff Street when Spence’s car struck him and he fell off his bicycle. He explained that after the older man got out of the car he began cursing at him and the man attempted to hit him with a bag.

The accused said that he had a scissors in his pocket and tried to defend himself and as a result the bag was ripped and the contents scattered. Chapman said he then got on his bicycle and rode away but was confronted by police.

According to the prosecution, the virtual complainant (VC) would collect money from the company’s cashier daily. On the said day, Spence was about to  open his car door when Chapman approached him and ordered him to be quite and hand over the object.

The prosecution said further that the VC was not sure what the concealed weapon was but he had a glimpse of a shiny object so it could have been a knife or gun.

After grabbing the money the man escaped but a police patrol in the area responded and he was captured.

The prosecution said Chapman had shouted to the police that Gordon Gilhuys was his uncle and he would be out of jail in a week.

He was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to Court Four for June 30.