A Sophia man, who allegedly shot a Brazilian businessman during a robbery last week, was yesterday denied bail when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
O’Neil Simon, 25, of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, was arraigned on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery.
It was alleged that on April 10, at Alberttown, he discharged a loaded firearm at businessman Alene Jefferson Aguar Dos Reis, with intent to commit murder. Simon is also accused of robbing the complainant at gunpoint.
Police Prosecutor Corporal Denise Booker said that on the day in question, at around 8 pm, the businessman parked his motor vehicle and was making his way through an alley when he was confronted by Simon, who was armed with a gun.
When the man failed to comply with Simon’s instructions, Booker said the accused shot him, wounding him in the abdominal area.
Dos Reis was hospitalised and later released but he had a relapse and at the time of yesterday’s hearing he was re-admitted, the prosecutor told the court.
Attorney Basil Williams, who represented Simon, stated that his client was one of many Sophia youths who are constantly harassed by the police.
In seeking bail, he said that his client is currently before the court for another matter and he is present at all hearings.
He further said that his client was actually arrested while he was attending court and he was told that he had been identified in an ID parade.
The prosecution, however, objected to bail, citing the serious condition of the complainant.
Simon was remanded until May 16 and the case was transferred to Court Three for report and fixture.
