Accuse says cop held him at gunpoint to confess to robbery

A 24-year-old ‘C’ Field Sophia resident was remanded to prison today on two counts of armed robbery.

Jerome Smartt appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to both charges; he did not have legal representation.

He told the court that an officer placed a gun to his head and forced him to confess to the charges.

The first charge alleged that on March 29, 2018, at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with a handgun, he robbed Jamal Angus of a quantity of cash and items totalling $67,100.

It is further alleged that on the same day at Prashad Nagar, he robbed Donald David of a cellphone valued $40,000.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to Smartt being released on bail citing the seriousness of the charges.

However, Smartt told the court that he found the cellphone on the road. He further added that was searched by two police and ran away, which caused the lawmen to discharge several rounds in his direction.

Smartt further alleged that when he was arrested and taken to the police station, a senior officer placed a gun to his head for him to confess to the charge.

“Your worship… I been just telling he wah he wanna hear,” the unrepresented man told the court.

Nevertheless, Magistrate Azore remanded Smartt to prison until April 25, 2018.