Twenty-year-old Joshua Joseph of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, who had received a presidential pardon, was on Wednesday sentenced to 18 months in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he pleaded guilty to escaping the custody of a police officer.The court heard that he escaped police custody on February 13, 2016 while at the Brickdam Police Station where he was being held on robbery charges.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Joseph was being escorted by Police Constable David to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when he began to behave in a disorderly manner. During a scuffle between Joseph and the Police Constable, he managed to release himself from the handcuffs and made good his escape.
Joseph was subsequently arrested on February 15 at the Stabroek Market. He told the court that he had escaped because he was clad in old clothing and wanted to appear in court properly dressed. He explained that the handcuffs opened when he fell.
Joseph was also charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Osa Omaree on January 19, 2016, at High Street, Georgetown, where he allegedly stole a 21-inch Sharp television valued $35,000; one laptop computer valued $50,000; one gold chain worth $30,000 and one pair of gold earrings valued $8,000. He pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, Joseph and 22-year-old Kester McPhoy of 72 Independence Boulevard also pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of robbery under arms, allegedly committed on February 3, 2016 on the person of Elicia Walton.
Police said that the two men, being armed with a knife, robbed the woman of a gold chain worth $60,000.
The police prosecutor objected to bail based on the gravity of the charges of breaking and entering and robbery under arms, and cited also the fact that a weapon was used. Bail was refused for the duo and the matter was adjourned to March 1 and transferred to Court 11.