Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Royston Carey and Michael Ashby, who were accused of robbing a male at a Road Town bar of $5,000, had their matter dismissed when the case was heard in the Magistrate´s Court today, January 25.
The case was dismissed for want of prosecution and both Carey and Ashby were freed. The Prosecution´s decision came after the patron previously expressed the desire not to pursue the case.
Ashby, 29, a BVIslander who is married with two daughters, was previously granted bail in the amount of $100,000 signed with two sureties; $40,000 of the amount has to be paid in cash.
The construction worker was also ordered to report to the police station four times per week and surrender his travel documents.
Carey was also granted $100,000 bail signed with two sureties; however, $50,000 of the amount must be paid in cash. He was also ordered to report to the police station four times per week and surrender his travel documents.
The two men were appeared in the Magistrate's Court charged with the indictable offense of robbery and accused of relieving the patron at Violet's Bar in Road Town of $5,000 cash on July 30, 2012.
On August 17, 2012, the two men made their first court appearance.
Allegations were that Ashby told the complainant that "this is an extortion" and restrained him while Carey searched the complainant.
Crown Counsel Leslie Ann Faulkner in outlining the allegations, had told the court that complaint in the matter went earlier in the day of the robbery to deposit money into an account at Banco Popular, but security at the bank told him that the bank was closing and that no more persons would be allowed inside.
Faulkner had further related that after the complainant left the bank, he did not go home, but ended up at Violet's Bar where he had a few drinks.
She previously outlined that while the complainant was at the bar, the two defendants along with three other unknown men walked into the bar.
According to the prosecutor, the men had approached and restrained the complainant. During the ordeal, it was believed that Carey searched the complainant, took the $5,000 cash and declared, "I got it". The five men then left the bar.
A bartender was at the bar when the incident occurred and the owner of the bar eventually reported the incident to the Road Town Police Station.
Carey & Ashbey were taken into custody on August 15, 2012 and denied being involved in the incident when they were questioned by Police.
