After misleading the court by claiming he was a juvenile, a Lodge Housing Scheme teen was on Wednesday remanded to prison on a charge of armed robbery.
It was alleged that Joshua Austin, 17, robbed Julius Matherson of a cosmetic silver ring valued $4,000, US$1,500, Cdn$50, £20, €40 and $2,000, total value being $329,300 on June 6, at Mandela Avenue, while armed with a knife.
Austin initially told the court that he was 16 years old, but his mother produced his birth certificate during the hearing, proving he had turned 17 last November.
Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that Austin was positively identified by Matherson, and objected to bail because of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the fact that a knife was used in the process. He further added that the accused has a pending simple larceny matter at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
Austin has been remanded until June 17, when statements are to be presented.
