South Ruimveldt

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Nelson Pratt, 26, of 287 Beverly Close Street, South Ruimveldt, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he faced an indictable Robbery Under Arms charge.It is alleged that on November 16, at South Ruimveldt, Pratt,  in the company of others, armed with a gun, robbed Taharka Braithwaite of $47,000.Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that at around 10:30hrs on the day in question, Braithwaite, a businessman, went into South Ruimveldt to search for a friend when he stopped at the residence of  Bryan Boyce to inquire about the said friend.Blackman told the court that the accused along with four other men, one of whom was armed with a hand gun, then entered the yard and approached Braithwaite .According to the prosecution, one of the suspects lashed the victim on his face with the gun while the accused pushed his hand in the man’s right side pocket, took the money and escaped.Blackman said that the matter was reported and the victim identified Pratt, who was arrested and charged.However, Braithwaite told the court that on the morning of the date in question, he went into the area to search for someone who stole his cellular phone and asked the defendant for directions.He said he was led into a yard where he was held at gunpoint and beaten about the body. Braithwaite told the court that in the process the chain he wore broke, and the men went into his pockets and relieved him of his cash.Attorney at Law Paul Fung-a-Fat made an application for his client who he stated is a longstanding employee of Banks DIH, to be granted reasonable bail.The prosecutor however objected on account of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence as well as the fact that he assaulted the man during the commission of the offence. Blackman also stated that Pratt is a flight-risk.Magistrate McGusty remanded Pratt to prison and the matter will be called again on November 25 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.