A week after being shot by police after he allegedly escaped while being transported to a police station lockups in connection with the robbery of two trainee nurses on Main Street, a Sophia man was yesterday remanded to prison after he was read five charges, including escape from police custody.
Seon Lampkin stood before Magistrate Faith McGusty, who read the five charges to him.
The first charge alleged that on April 16 at Main Street, Lampkin attempted to rob Urisa Alleyne. It is also alleged that on the very day and location, he robbed Jhonoy Dos Santos of a $5,000 handbag and $8,000 in items.
Two other charges, which also occurred on the said date but at High Street, alleged that the accused assaulted officers 23036 Wilson and 22690 Keiron, peace officers acting in the execution of their duties.
The final charge stated that Lampkin, while in police custody for robbery and attempting to commit a felony, escaped from the said police custody.
Lampkin denied the charges levelled against him.
Police prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to the accused being granted bail. He said that while in police custody for other crimes, Lampkin escaped while he was being transported from the Brickdam police station, by jumping out of the van. The prosecutor added that when the police attempted to arrest the accused, he assaulted them and tried to relieve one of the officers of his firearm, resulting in one of the ranks shooting at him.
In a bid to plead his case, Lampkin told the court that before he was apprehended by the police, he was caught by public-spirited citizens after the robbery would have occurred. The unemployed man said that he was riding his bicycle when he passed near to a woman who began to yell ‘thief’ which caused persons from Palm Court to run out, and the last thing he remembers is that he sustained a severe beating to his hand and face.
Lampkin added that while in police custody in the back of the van, he was assaulted by the two ranks who were with him. He said that his hands were handcuffed at the time. As the beating from the officers continued, he alleged, he rolled out of the vehicle but could not get anywhere as the vehicle stopped and the officers went towards him. The accused said that he remembers an officer pulling out a firearm and firing a shot, then feeling a burning sensation to his side.
Having heard from the accused, the Magistrate remanded him to prison, adjourning the matter until May 15.
