Car washer Nia Kuumpa Lynch has been remanded to Dodds Prison for 28 days after the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court denied his application for bail.
The 28-year-old of Morris Gap, Westbury Road, was not required to enter a plea to the charge of robbing Duane Morrison of a $26 000 motor van, $500 cell phone and $3 000 cash on August 29.
He is also accused of assaulting Chloe Banker with intent to rob her that same day.
The charges are indictable.
Sergeant Victoria Leacock objected to bail, citing the need to protect society, as neither complainant was known to the accused and, therefore, anyone could be considered a target. She also said that two other people were involved, that there was strong evidence in the form of CCTV footage and that firearms had allegedly been used.
“In this matter, the vehicle was recovered and we are also looking at the strength of the evidence in that there is CCTV footage. It is the prosecution’s stance that the accused is not a fit and proper candidate for bail.”
Defence attorney Shadia Simpson stressed that the allegations were just that, noting that her client had no previous convictions, was not known, had never “darkened the doors of the court”, was employed as a car valet and had a fixed address.
She also pointed to delays in accused people receiving disclosure.
She said: “History has shown that there are matters that are two or three years old and that are still awaiting disclosure. In addition, the court can place any number of stringent conditions regarding bail and my client is willing to adhere to them.”
Saying that the cases were serious, Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick said that with investigations ongoing and allegations that firearms had been used and others had been involved, one of whom was still being sought, “I cannot release him right now”.
Lynch will return to court on October 26.
(JB)
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