Alleged serial robber remanded on illegal gun and ammo charge

Aug 15, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

A repeat offender, who was out on bail after being held in connection with a spate of robberies, was yesterday remanded to prison on charges related to an illegal gun and ammunition.

Remanded: Mervin Blackman

Twenty-five-year-old Mervin Blackman, a fish vendor of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charges stated that on August 8, last, at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Blackman had in his possession, one 9mm pistol and seven live rounds of 9mm ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

The defendant denied both charges after they were read to him by the magistrate.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to bail being granted to the defendant citing that he allegedly committed the offences while he was out on bail on a robbery under-arms charge.

The prosecutor also outlined the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charges attracts.

Blackman was last year charged along with two other individuals for allegedly robbing Shane Rahamid, Supervisor at Wild Caught Fresh Fish Depot at gunpoint.

They are accused of robbing Rahamid of $60,000, a quantity of fish valued $1.5 million – all property of Leonard Jettoo on December 2 last, at Meadowbank.

It was also alleged that on August 15 last, at Georgetown, with intent to commit murder or cause grievous bodily harm, Blackman discharged a loaded firearm at Carl Welshman.

It was further alleged that on August 15 last, whilst in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Carl Welshman of a cell phone valued $50,000 and other items—all totalling $175,000.

Further, it is alleged that on November 24 last, at Georgetown while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Danny Singh of $45,000 cash and other items – all worth $50,000.

Blackman is also accused of having a Glock 17 semi automatic pistol and eight live rounds of 9mm ammunition in his possession on December 2 last, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

Additionally, Blackman was charged with three counts of robbery under-arms. It is alleged that on October 1 last, at Georgetown, being together with others and armed with a gun, they robbed Bramanand Chetram of $500,000 among other items all worth $3,019,000 – property of Bibi Shaffaur.

It is also alleged that on the same day, he robbed Parmanand Chetram of a cellular phone and other items – all totalling $14,000 – while in the company of others and armed with a gun.

And finally, on the same day at Georgetown, armed with a gun and together in the company of others, he robbed Parmanand Chetram of a cellular phone and other items all carrying a value of $110,000 – property of Bramanand Chetram.

The prosecutor’s objection was upheld by the magistrate and the defendant was remanded to prison. He will make his next court appearance on August 28.

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