Mason accused of gunpoint hold-up

A 26-year-old mason was yesterday not required to plead to the indictable offence of robbery under arms when he appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

 Sylvester Vanderhyden
Sylvester Vanderhyden

It is alleged that on December 29, 2008 Sylvester Vanderhyden of Lot 6 and 7 West Road, Sparendaam, being armed with a gun at Eccles Public Road, robbed Antonio Ahmad of one gold chain and other items totalling $53,000.

Vanderhyden’s lawyer made an application for bail to be granted in a reasonable sum on the grounds that his client has no previous antecedents, was in custody for 12 days and he was the subject of an identification parade but was not identified.
The attorney told the court also that his client “received a skilful and sound beating from police ranks.”

He was refused bail and his matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court for March 20 for report.