TWENTY-seven-year-old miner, Corwin Heywood of 7 Ogle Street, Beterverwagting, was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine–Beharry on two charges of robbery under arms.

Heywood pleaded not guilty to both charges, one of which detailed that on May 22, at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), being armed with a gun, he robbed Krishna Persaud of a Nokia cellular phone and $5,000.

The other charge detailed that on the same day, at Vreed-en-Hoop, Heywood robbed Navendra Ranauth of one Samsung and Alcatel cellular phones, along with cash $500,000, belonging to Reyuad Hussain.

The prosecution’s facts stated that on the day in question, at the Vreed-en-Hoop Shell gas station, Ranauth was checking the day’s sales when the defendant, armed with a gun, entered the premises and robbed the gas station. Persaud, who was in the store at the same time, was held at gun point and robbed of the said items before Heywood made good his escape.

Reports were subsequently filed, and the defendant was apprehended by the police and identified by Persaud and Ranauth.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant opposed bail on the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, and the fact that the alleged firearm was used twice in commission of the offences.

Heywood was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Clyde Forde, who said that his client was arrested from his home and was picked out on an identification parade.

The matter will be called again tomorrow at the Vreed-en-Hoop Court.

(Clestine Juan)