Joshua Joseph and Kestor McPhoy

… after charged with breaking and entering, robbery under arms

BY KIZZY COLEMAN

Twenty-year-old Joshua Joseph, one of the youths granted a pardon by President David Granger, was on Wednesday back in court, charged with escaping from Police custody, breaking and entering and robbery under arms.

It is alleged that Joseph while being a prisoner at the Brickdam Police Station on a charge of robbery, he escaped from Police custody.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Joseph was in Police custody and was being escorted by a Police Constable to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when he started to behave in a disorderly manner.

He added that he shoved and held on to the said Constable and a struggle ensued, after which he managed to release himself from handcuffs and made good him escape.

He was later arrested on February 15 in the Stabroek area.

Joseph explained to the court that he was clad in old clothes and requested better clothing, a request which was denied. He added that the Police Constable tried to push him into the Police van and he resisted and a scuffle ensued. He further added that he fell during the scuffle and his handcuff opened which he saw as an opportunity to escape.

Prosecutor Jones told the court that Joseph was one of the persons who had been pardoned by President Granger, but he could not say what the offence was that he had been incarcerated for.

Joseph pleaded not guilty to an additional charge which alleged that on January 19, at High Street, Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Osa Omaree and stole one Sharp 21-inch television valued $35,000, one laptop valued $50,000, one gold chain valued $30,000 and one gold earring valued $8000; a total value of $123,000 and the property of Osa Omaree.

Also it is alleged that Joseph, while in the company of 21-year-old Kestor McPhoy on February 13, at Stabroek, he robbed Felicia Walton of her gold chain valued $60,000.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded to prison. The matter will return to court on March 1.

President Granger after stepping into office in May of 2015 announced that he would be granting presidential pardons to ‘petty’ criminals. He stated that it was his intention to pardon convicts annually who were serving short sentences for minor or non-violent related offences during his time in office.

The President further explained that when these persons are released, they will attend rehabilitative programmes with the aim of developing their skills so they can be reintegrated into society.

Thus far, some 60 youths who were incarcerated have been released.

In September 2015, a 49-year-old woman of Kingley Village, Berbice, was raped by a 21-year-old man, who is allegedly another prisoner granted a presidential pardon. This was not confirmed as the Guyana Police Force and Prison Service has refused to disclose information as to the young man’s identity.