BV mason remanded on mugging charge

Accused of robbing a man of over $200,000 worth of items in a knife-point mugging, a Beterverwagting mason was remanded to prison yesterday.

Wendell Austin, 20, of 134 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty when the charge of robbery was read to him in the court of Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Georgetown yesterday.

It was alleged that on January 4, in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, Austin, along with another, robbed Kishan Persaud of a laptop, a BlackBerry Bold, $15,000 in cash, a silver band and a silver ring. The total value of the articles was given as $216,000.

According to Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question at about 12:30am, Persaud had been walking towards the Timehri bus park when he was approached by Austin and another man. According to reports, the men held Persaud and placed a knife to his neck. Persaud was then stripped of his valuables.

A report was made and, following investigations, Austin was apprehended and arrested.

When questioned by the Chief Magistrate about whether he had previous brushes with the law, Austin admitted that just last month he was brought before the courts on an assault charge. This matter, he said, will be heard again on January 20.

Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and he also suggested that Austin might not return to court if released. As a result, Austin was remanded to prison until January 24, when the case will be called again for statements.