THE virtual complainant in an armed robbery case avoided a miscarriage of justice yesterday when she informed City Magistrate Judy Latchman that the matter should be discharged against the accused because she was ‘traumatized’ at the time and wrongly identified him as her attacker.Roy Sandiford, 27, of Lot 970 ‘A’ Field, Sophia was charged with robbing Onessa Semple, a receptionist at Modern Hotel, on September 4 in Georgetown.
It was alleged that on the day in question Sandiford, being armed with a gun, robbed Semple at her workplace of two pairs of gold earrings, along with two gold rings, valued $52,000. On the said day also he was accused of stealing from Semple $5,200 in cash, property of Godfrey Raid. Sandiford denied all the allegations.
His lawyer, Mr. George Thomas, told the court that Semple had requested the police to drop the charges due to mistaken identity.
However, the prosecutor, Corporal Keri Boswick, was quick to present the file against the accused and the victim’s statements. He explained that according to the file, which had Semple’s statement, she had ample time to see the face of her attacker and had indicated to the police that it was Sandiford.
Boswick further disclosed that the accused allegedly held-up the victim at gunpoint and relieved her of the articles while requesting her to empty the fridge before making good his escape from the hotel.
The matter was stood down while the magistrate requested the prosecutor to seek the guidance of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Upon recall, the virtual complainant was made to step into the witness box to give her sworn testimony.
She stated that Sandiford was not the attacker who robbed her at her workplace and expressed regret at the inconvenience. However, she was scolded by Magistrate Latchman who informed her that it is a criminal charge for giving the police wrong information. Cross-examination of the victim was denied by the lawyer.
Both armed robbery charges against Sandiford were dismissed and he walked out the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court a free man.
By Clestine Juan