Man denied bail for robbing magistrate

Stephen Mohammed of Pemberton Street was denied bail by Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court.

Mohammed was slapped with seven charges — four counts of burglary, two counts of housebreaking and one count of larceny.

The charges alleged that Mohammed broke into the home of Harry Ragoonanan at Quail Valley, Block Five, Palmiste, at about 2.45 am on February 6.

Another charge alleged that the accused stole a quantity of local and foreign currency, liquor, jewelry, cellphones and other items. Ragoonanan and wife — Cardenas-Ragoonanan — were robbed on February 6 at their home, at about 2:45 am.

Mohammed, who was dressed in a red jersey, blue jeans and slippers, bent his head while the charges were being read. He was not called on to plead as the charges were laid indictably. Mohammed was also charged with a number of other robberies and house-breaking incidents in the La Romaine district between December 2005 and January 2006.

Mohammed was not represented by an attorney yesterday, and Wellington refused to grant bail to the accused. He told Mohammed that he (Mohammed) had a previous conviction for a similar offence and three other pending charges in court.

Mohammed was remanded in custody to reappear on March 2.