A FISH vendor of Lot 117 Canet Street, Meadow Bank on the East Bank of Demerara was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a charge of robbery under arms. 

Othello Duncan pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on July 25, 2013 at the Meadow Bank Wharf, being armed with a gun, he robbed Hayman Handit of $316,000 in cash.
Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question around 10:10 hrs, the virtual complainant (VC) was at Meadow Bank, when the defendant placed a firearm to the victim’s head and demanded that he hand over his money.
After the VC had refused to hand over the money, Duncan pushed his hand into Handit’s pocket and took away the money. He then made good his escape and the matter was reported to the police.
Prosecutor Grant opposed bail on the basis of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence and the fact that a weapon was allegedly used in committing the offence.
Grant said that the defendant had been evading the police since the report was made. He added that every time the VC saw the defendant and called the police, Duncan would always escape. However, on the day he was arrested Handit saw Duncan and at the same time a police patrol was passing and he related his story to the ranks.
The defendant was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Melville Duke. He told the court that the victim and his client work at the same place and in that case the VC could have reported the matter.
In those circumstances, he requested bail for Duncan, which was refused by the chief magistrate. The matter was then transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman for report and fixtures and the defence counsel renewed his bail application which was for the second time denied.
The case was put off to November 27 for commencement of trial.