Duo remanded over chopping of shopkeeper at Pamela Landing

Two men, accused of chopping a shopkeeper whilst he was asleep and robbing him of $95,000, were yesterday remanded to prison.

Michael Isaacs, 30, and Colane Toney, 24 were read a charge which stated that on May 21 at Pamela Landing, Potaro River, they robbed Erick Singh of $85,000 and a penny weight of gold valued at $10,000, and at the time of and immediately after, used personal violence.

Isaacs of Lot 16 Paradise, East Coast Demerara, and Toney of Lot 36, Section F, Number 53 Village, Berbice, denied the allegation.

Facts stated by Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, were that the defendants, on the day in question, went to the complainant’s shop, where he was asleep and robbed him; chopping him about his body in the process. He relayed to the court that Singh was taken to the Mahdia hospital and was discharged yesterday morning.

The prosecutor then objected to bail being granted based on the seriousness of the offence.

“Mums, I was the one who ran out and called for help when this thing was happening,” Toney said, moments after telling the court that he slept in the same apartment as the complainant.

Toney’s statement was supported by Isaacs who stated that he was on the landing during the night of the robbery, when he saw Toney running and calling for help. Isaacs added that this was told to the police, and that the person who did the chopping is someone called ‘Lil Buck’, who is wanted by police for robbery and attempted murder.

Nevertheless, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded both men, and transferred the matter to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court, where, it will be called on July 18.