Father of 5 remanded on robbery charge

A 45-year-old gold miner and father of five was remanded to prison on Monday for allegedly robbing a woman of her purse which had $1 million cash inside.

Kirth Smith of Durban Street, Georgetown, and Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD), appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Particulars of the charge alleged that Smith on October 16, 2023, at Water Street, Georgetown, robbed Onessa Thorne of a black purse valued at $10,000 and $1M in cash.

Smith’s attorney made an application for bail on the grounds that his client is the sole breadwinner for his family of six and has no prior antecedents.

The defence pleaded with the court to release Smith on bail to allow him to continue providing for his family.

However, the Police prosecutor objected to bail citing the nature, gravity and prevalence of the charge.

The prosecutor told the court that after committing the robbery, Smith used the money to purchase items, some of which were recovered at his Crane address.

In light of the circumstances and the objections raised by the prosecution, Magistrate Weever remanded Smith to prison until November 20.