Three men accused of an armed robbery at ‘Wild Caught Fresh Fish Depot’ at the Meadow Bank Wharf, Ruimveldt were remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday.

Mervin Blackman,25, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; Neizam Benie,40 of Bushy Park, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, both fish vendors along with Jason Brotherson, 20, a miner of Gordon Street, Kitty were jointly charged with the offense.

The charge alleged that the trio on December 02, 2016 at Meadow Bank Wharf, while being armed with guns, robbed Shane Robin of $560,000 cash along with $1.5M worth in fish glue, property of Leonard Jettoo.

The three men pleaded not guilty to the charge. Benie, who was shot to both of his legs, had to be lifted into the court by police; he was represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson who also appeared for Blackman; Brotherson was unrepresented.

According to information received, three men, one armed with a handgun stormed the Wild Caught Fresh Fish Depot at 00:45hrs on December 2 and held the supervisor, Shane Robin at gunpoint. Robin was gun-butted and the men took a camera, DVR, a radio set and other articles.

Public-spirited citizen witnessed the robbery and called the police, who responded and confronted the men as they were leaving. During the confrontation, one of the unarmed suspects was shot to both legs and the other with the firearm, ran in the depot and concealed himself in the ceiling.

Additional Charges
Meanwhile, Blackman and Benie were also charged separately with three counts of armed robbery, which they strongly denied. Particulars of the first charge alleged that on October 1, 2016 while being armed with guns, they robbed Bramanand Chatram of $500,000 cash and a quantity of items over $3M, property of Bibi Shafoor.

The men are also accused of robbing Bramanand Chatram of his cellphone and other items totaling $110,000, while being armed with guns. Lastly on the same day, the duo while being armed with guns robbed Parmanand Chatram of a cellphone and other items totaling $14,000.

Additionally, Blackman was slapped with five other criminal charges, including illegal gun possession and attempted murder.

The first charge alleged that Blackman while being in the company of others and armed with guns on August 15 at Georgetown, robbed Carl Welshman of a cellphone and other items totaling $175,000.

He was also charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Welshman with intent to commit murder, on the said day and location. It is further alleged that on November 24 at Georgetown, Blackman while being in the company of others and armed with guns, robbed Dannie Singh of $40,000 and other items totaling $50,000.

It is also alleged that Blackman on December 2, 2016 at Georgetown had a Glock 17 Simi-automatic pistol in his possession when he is not the holder a firearm licence. He was also caught with 8 live millimeter rounds of ammunition. The fish vendor pleaded not guilty to the charges while his lawyer, Thompson begged the Magistrate to release his client on bail since he is not a flight risk.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Simone Payne strongly opposed to the men being released on bail based on the seriousness, prevalence, nature and penalty attached to the charges. The prosecutor pointed out that Blackman is currently on bail for a matter of similar nature, which is currently before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore. They were remanded and the matters are adjourned until January 6, 2017.