Accused denied bail in Pleasantville plaza robbery

Kern Lewis, of Quarry Village, appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates Court before Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine who read several charges to him, the first of which alleges that on July 9, he robbed the cashier at Pleasantville Pharmacy of $5,000. The second alleges he robbed her of a Samsung Galaxy S6 and a Samsung Galaxy S5, both valued $13,000.

The other charge alleges that on the same day, he robbed a customer at the plaza of an iPhone valued $5,000. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges which were laid by PC Lee-Lum of the San Fernando CID.

Attorney Chantal Paul pleaded for bail for Lewis and told Antoine whilst the defendant had previous convictions, they were not similar in nature to current charges. The magistrate was told Lewis was convicted of driving without a permit, two counts of possession of marijuana and larceny. Prosecutor PC Cleyon Seedan objected to bail on the ground that Lewis had a conviction for trafficking marijuana.

However, Paul reiterated her client did not have any pending charges and the magistrate has a discretion under the Bail Act to grant bail in those circumstances.

Antoine refused bail and remanded Lewis into custody, but told him he has the right to petition a judge in chambers for bail.

He will return to court on September 5.