Youth remanded on charge of stealing cell phone from school girl

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday remanded Deon Charles to prison after he was charged with robbing a school girl of a cell phone and assaulting her.

It is alleged that on April 5, at Thomas Lands, Charles 19, of Rail Road, La Penitence robbed the school girl  of a Samsung Galaxy cell phone valued at $149,000, and at the time of the incident or immediately after he used personal violence.

Charles who was unrepresented by an attorney pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor, Police Corporal Kerry Bostwick stated that on the day in question at around 15:30hrs the virtual complainant (VC), was sitting in the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA), compound on Thomas Lands.  Charles came up to her and snatched the phone.

Bostwick related that Charles then jumped on to a pedal cycle and tried to escape. While he was trying to ride away, the VC grabbed onto him and he cuffed her face and made good his escape. He was arrested by the police sometime after the incident.

Bostwick objected to bail citing the nature of the offence and the punishment it attracts if the defendant is found guilty.

He was refused bail and remanded.

His matter will continue on April 15.