Robbery accused remanded pending psych evaluation

A robbery accused, said to be a psychiatric patient, was yesterday remanded to prison and ordered to undergo a medical evaluation.

When Osino Benn, 21, of Craig, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore in Georgetown, he did not respond to anything said to him. The charge was nonetheless read to him.

It is alleged that on February 20, at George-town, Benn stole a gold chain, valued $60,000, from the person of Davis Bess.

Attorney Latchmie Rahamat told the court that her client had been receiving psychiatric treatment for the past seven years. She asked the court to consider the fact that he might not be a man of his own mind and can cause harm to others around him or even himself.

Rahamat further stated that Benn is not in a condition to undergo a trial and would likely be unresponsive. She also said she did not think the Camp Street Prison would be the best place for him at the moment and asked for him to be released to his mother, who could take care of him.

The prosecution, however, objected to bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and asked for Benn to be remanded to prison until an evaluation is done by Dr Bhiro Harry.

Bail was refused and the matter will be called again on March 20.