A 29-YEAR-OLD miner of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, was, on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, charged with two counts of robbery committed at a mining camp located at 29 Miles Backdam Matthews Ridge, North West District.
Conrad Henry, also known as ‘Andre,’ made his appearance before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the two charges.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that, on November 13, 2018, at 29 Miles Backdam, he robbed Hinds Joseph of a Honda generator, a caterpillar computer box, along with other mining equipment totalling $1.6M, the property of James Fowler.
The second charge alleged that, on the same day, and at the same location, Henry robbed Hinds Joseph of a BLU cellphone valued $26,000 with the use of personal violence, during the commission of the crime.

The unrepresented accused, in his defence, told the court that he did not know about any robbery but, accepted that he stole the caterpillar computer box and went away because he was not paid by his boss, James Fowler.
Prosecutor Corporal Quinn Harris strongly opposed to Henry being released on bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charge, pointing out that the victim, Joseph, had suffered two fractured legs.

According to the evidence presented, Henry and Joseph were employed by James Fowler, at his mining camp, and Joseph was left in charge of the operation. However Henry requested the key for the generator and Joseph refused causing Henry to become annoyed.
On November 13, 2018, while Joseph and others were working, he (Joseph) was hit on his legs by Henry and then tied. Henry also gagged Joseph and attempted to throw gasoline on him, with intent to light him afire. However, Joseph was rescued and Henry made good his escape.

Harris told the court that the defendant was confronted by James Fowler on January 19, 2019, at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara, after he was reportedly seen in the area.
It is alleged that Henry handed over the caterpillar computer box and was arrested by the police.

The Magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution’s objection and remanded Henry to prison. The matter was transferred to the Matthews Ridge Magistrate Court for hearing on February 4, 2019.