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by pltm
(PLTM) - On Tuesday, October 20 2020, Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin denied the Virgin Gorda trio bail and ordered they be remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison because she said the allegations against them were ‘compelling.’
The Magistrate further said, a fourth man who fled from police on the night in question remains at large as well as the firearms used during the commission of the offence.
She also mentioned that due to the seriousness of the offence, it attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
“I am unable to come up with any [bail] conditions,” Magistrate Benjamin stated to the defendants.
“It is my decision that bail is denied in relations to all three defendants,” she added.
Jointly charged with the indictable offence of Robbery is Tray Audain, 25, of no fixed place of abode, Rakeem Lennard, 28, of North Sound, and Lekhoy Hughes, 20, of no fixed place of abode.
They were not made to plea because the matter is heading to the High Court to be tried before a judge and nine-member jury.
Notably, a 15-year-old was initially arrested following the Robbery. However, he was discharged pending further investigations.
Allegations
Crown Counsel Kael London stated that on October 15, two men robbed two women who were sitting outside a supermarket on Lee Road from the back, charting off with their handbags which contained their personal belongings and cash.
The masked armed men then proceeded to escape in a white Kia rental parked nearby.
An eyewitness reportedly saw what happened and called the Virgin Gorda Police Station, who responded and launched a probe.
The Crown further said a similar white vehicle was parked along the road near the North Sound Basketball Court along with other vehicles, with the men inside.
When police approached, a fourth man who was inside the vehicle in question made good his escape.
In the meantime, two female handbags were found in the rented vehicle with the men, and they were later confirmed to belong to the Virtual Complainants in the matter.
The trio was subsequently taken to the police station and later charged with the offence of Robbery.
The matter will continue on January 27 with a paper committal.
Attorney Stacy Abel represents defendant Audain, and Attorney Ruthilia Maximea represents the two other defendants.
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