A young porter was yesterday remanded to prison after a city court that his arrest resulted in him being positively identified in relation to another crime.
Ricky Lakeram, 19, of 40 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, stole two gold chains with pendants, valued $120,000, from the person of Vanessa Pierre, on September 11, at Croal Street, Georgetown.
Lakeram had initially pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry but when subsequently given a chance to explain, he vehemently denied committing the crime and said he did not steal. Resultantly, the court later entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Relating the facts of the case, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said that on the day in question around 5:45pm, Pierre was walking along Croal Street when Lakeram approached and snatched the chains from her neck.
The court heard that she immediately raised an alarm and a traffic officer, who was nearby, gave chase and apprehended Lakeram, who was later arrested with pieces of jewellery recovered in his hands.
“I don’t thief ma’am, I does wuk,” Lakeram, however, told the court. He also said he and his common-law wife are expecting a child.
“I have a child coming,” he stressed.
Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat, who represented Lakeram, was unsuccessful in getting bail for the man after Grant raised objections and told the court that the man is likely to be charged on Monday for a break-and-enter-and-larceny offence.
The prosecutor explained that after being taken into custody for the larceny from the person charge, Lakeram was positively identified by another complainant.
The Chief Magistrate then informed Lakeram that in the circumstances he would be remanded to prison until Monday, at which point bail will be considered if he is not charged for the additional offence.
