GDF rank denied bail over robbery charges

An active Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal was slapped with a host of charges brought against him after he reportedly used an unlicensed gun to carry out a string of robberies on at least two victims in which over G$5 million in cash and valuables was stolen.
The defendant, 21-year-old A Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown resident, Jamal Hazel was remanded to prison following his arraignment before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday and denied the robbery under arms and unlicensed gun and ammunition possession charges.
According to the prosecution’s case, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun at Kitty, Georgetown, Hazel robbed Andrea Purdessy of one mobile phone valued G$210,000 and G$400,000 cash. It was further alleged that the GDF Lance Corporal also on January 11 at Pike Street, Kitty, robbed the said victim of G$4.5 million, being armed with a gun.
The prosecution is contending that according to additional evidence obtained by investigators, on January 10 at North Road, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, Hazel robbed Budram Hemraj of a brush cutter valued G$100,000.
On January 13 at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, Police said that they found the Lance Corporal with nine rounds of .38 ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of a valid firearm licence. It was further alleged that at the same time, the serving army member had a .38 pistol when he was not the holder of a valid firearm licence.
After the charges were presented, Hazel denied them all. He was represented by defence lawyer George Thomas, who applied for bail on claims that his client was taken to the dumpsite in Eccles, East Bank Demerara and severely beaten by Police on two occasions.
Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, however, objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence, the penalty which the charges carry and the fact that the defendant was a soldier. Moore noted that Hazel’s occupation has a mandate to serve and protect.
The Prosecutor further added that the accused was positively identified by one of the Virtual Complainants (VCs). After considering the charges and subsequent applications by both sides, Magistrate Latchman refused bail and the serving Joint Services member was remanded to prison.
The Principal Magistrate adjourned the matter to January 30 when Hazel will make another appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.