Labourer fined for threatening to shoot cop

Labourer Travis Anthony Payne yesterday admitted that he threatened to shoot a policeman but denied robbing him of his gold chain at gun point.

Payne, 21, of Lot 461 West Ruimveldt, was fined by Magistrate Judy Latchman for threatening language at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He was, however, refused bail by the magistrate for the armed robbery charge.

It was alleged that on June 30, at West Ruimveldt Front Road, while armed with a gun, he robbed Colin Blair of a gold chain valued $150,000.

However, Payne only admitted to threatening to shoot the officer on July 1, when he was in custody at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost.

According to Prosecutor Renetta Bentham, on June 30, Blair and a friend were on their way home around 20:30hrs when they were confronted by Payne. Payne allegedly drew a gun from his waist and pointed it at Blair.

Bentham said that at this point, Payne relieved Blair of the chain and made good his escape but it was short-lived as he was later apprehended and handed over to the police by public-spirited citizens.
Payne was subsequently arrested and charged.

After Payne was placed in custody, the prosecutor said, he kneeled before Blair, swearing that “when I come out of police custody, I will shoot you.”

The magistrate handed down a fine of $20,000 or six months imprisonment to Payne for threatening language and remanded him to prison on the charge of armed robbery until July 19.