Juvenile among Sophia trio charged with armed robbery

NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Romario Butler, of Lot 386 ‘B’ Field, Sophia; 29-year- old Compton Semple, of Lot 375 ‘B’ Field, Sophia; and a 16-year-old, also of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, appeared on Wednesday before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman, charged with robbery under arms.The charge alleges that the trio robbed Roy Vox of one HTC cellular phone; two rings (silver and gold) together valued at $37,000, and a Toyota Spacio motor car, PPP 8740, valued at $2.5M, property of Keith Edwards. The act was allegedly committed on June 5 last, at the Georgetown Seawall.

Butler was represented by attorney-at-law, Ronald Burch-Smith, who made an application for his client to be granted bail in a reasonable sum. He added that his client was employed at Bunny’s on Charlotte Street, and does not pose a flight risk.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not reveal the prosecution’s facts to the court, but opposed bail on grounds of the nature and gravity of the charge, and the fact that a weapon had allegedly been used to commit the offence.

Grant said the accused also confessed to being involved in the robbery.

The juvenile was represented by attorney-at-law, Ms. Kendacie Rodney, but Semple was unrepresented.

The trio was refused bail, and the case will be called again on September 30 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

(With Geeta Rampersaud)