Couple accused of robbery with violence remanded

Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday remanded to prison a man and his girlfriend after they pleaded not guilty to robbing a woman of a large sum of money and other items.

According to the George-town Magistrate’s Court report Seon Grant, 20, of Eccles and Tenesha Benn, 23, of 42 John Street, Campbell-ville, both pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery with violence. It is alleged that on February 24 at Sheriff Street, Georgetown they robbed Shonnet Laundry of one haversack, one calculator and $253,000 cash. They also made use of personal violence on Laundry.

In his submissions Grant’s attorney, Sonny Sarwan, said his client was visiting his girlfriend Benn when the commotion occurred. He said that Laundry was the instigator of the incident. Sarwan also said that Grant was injured when someone stabbed him in his back with a pair of scissors, which is believed to have injured his spinal cord. Throughout his court appearance Grant did not stand upright. Sarwan requested bail for his client so that he could seek proper medical care. Mohamed Zafar represented Benn.

Police Prosecutor, Maxine Graham, submitted that bail should be refused for the couple as Benn worked at the same Laundromat as Laundry and that they were friends. She added that they had had a discussion about business and that the two accused waited until Laundry left work and attacked and robbed her. Graham said public-spirited citizens apprehended them and that the money was found on Grant.

The two accused were ordered to appear at Court Three tomorrow.