By Clestine Juan
THIRTY-FIVE-year-old José Barker of Howes Street, Charlestown was remanded to prison on Thursday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the offence of simple larceny.It is alleged that on May 30, at Croal Street, Barker robbed Edward John-Constant of his $180,000 gold chain. It is also alleged that the Charlestown man used personal violence during, before and after the offence was committed.

The father of six denied the charge, while his lawyer, Adrian Thompson explained that he was wrongly charged.

“This is simply a case of mistaken identity,” the lawyer told the court, pointing out that the media had already labeled his client a criminal, since police had named Barker as a suspect.

According to Thompson, vendors in the Stabroek Market had provided the identity of the real culprit, who had committed the robbery. His name was given as ‘Quarters’ but the police still charged his client.

However, Police Prosecutor Inspector Neville Jeffers strongly opposed bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.

Jeffers disclosed that Barker was positivity identified by Constant during an ID parade at the Brickdam Police Station.

Bail was denied and he was remanded to prison until June 16.

The 70-year-old former British soldier was in Guyana at the time of independence in May 1966, and had vowed to return for the 50th anniversary celebrations.

Constant was robbed of his cherished gold chain on Monday, while sightseeing around Stabroek Market. The thief carted off Constant’s chain, to which was attached a diamond-crested ring belonging to his late wife.