CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday remanded two men to prison for allegedly attempting to murder a taxi driver during the course of a robbery at John Fernandes Squatting Area, Georgetown.

Ernest James, 25, and Linden Flavius, called “Fine Crime,” 31, were jointly arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the indictable charge which alleges that on July 11, 2019, at John Fernandes Squatting Area with the intent to commit murder, the duo wounded Derek Benson.

James was represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson, who applied for bail. He told the court that his client resides at Old Road, Eccles, East Bank Demerara and works as a poultry farmer.

Flavius was unrepresented and told the court that he is employed as a construction worker and lives at Agricola, EBD.

According to particulars of the charge presented by prosecutor Neville Jeffers, on the day in question, Benson was operating his taxi and picked up James and Flavius who posed as passengers and requested to be taken to West Ruimveldt Back Road.

Jeffers explained that during the journey, in the vicinity of John Fernandes Squatting Area, Flavius held the victim at gunpoint while James, who was armed with an ice pick, stabbed him several times. The duo then relieved Benson of his valuables and escaped on foot. Benson was eventually rescued by public-spirited citizens who took him to the Georgetown Hospital.

The matter was reported to the police and an investigation was launched. The police were able to retrieve CCTV footage from a camera nearby and based on the still photos taken, the two defendants were positively identified and arrested.

Prosecutor Jeffers objected to bail for the defendants, since the victim is still hospitalised and his condition is listed as critical.

The chief magistrate upheld the prosecutor’s objection and remanded the men to prison until August 6, 2019.
Hours later, Flavius was taken before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the same precinct and was remanded to prison on two armed robbery charges.

Particulars of the first charge allege that on July 10, 2019, at Georgetown, Flavius while being in the company of others and armed with guns, robbed Ramsarran Ramsook of a cellphone worth $78,000 along with $140,000 in cash.

It is further alleged that on the same date and location, Flavius, while being in the company of others and armed with guns, robbed Allen Shawn of a bag containing clothes to the value of $22,000 along with $11,000 in cash. Flavius denied the two charges.

Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummel told the court that Flavius was positively identified by the two victims when he was placed on an identification (ID) parade.

However, Flavius denied being placed on an ID parade and burst into laughter in court when the prosecutor made this claim.
Magistrate McGusty remanded Flavius to prison until July 31, 2019.