President’s bandit to know fate next week

A teenaged boy accused of robbing former president, Sir Ellis Clarke, will know his fate next week after his court matter was set for decision by a Port-of-Spain magistrate. Ray Paul Julien, who pleaded not guilty to the charge of robbing Clarke and four others on September 25 last year, will spend the next few days awaiting the magistrate’s final decision. When the matter was called by Magistrate Avason Quinlan yesterday, six witnesses were present for the proceedings. However, Julien’s attorney, Patrick Godson-Phillips, told the magistrate that he had decided to take another approach to the proceedings. The matter, which was abruptly shortened due to the attorney’s position, was then adjourned to March 23 for decision.

Julien, of Dibe Road, Long Circular, was jointly charged with 19-year-old Donatus Glasgow for robbing the former president and three other people at Pine Grove Villas on Golf Course Road, Maraval. The two were also charged with one count of robbery with aggravation. The elder of the two teenagers, who pleaded guilty to all four robbery charges, was sentenced on November 10 last year by Quinlan to serve three years hard labour. The sentence is to run concurrently. Hearing resumes on March 23.