Latest update January 18th, 2025 4:15 AM
Victim pays bail for man who stole his phone
Akeem Bennett
Akeem Bennett, the defendant who found himself before the court for allegedly stealing a stranger’s phone who he reportedly had a night out with, was lucky to have his bail paid by that very individual.
The defendant appeared last Friday before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 after relating a sad tale to her.
However, yesterday when the matter was called, Bennett was still in the custody of the police as he was unable to post his bail. The alleged victim, who showed up in court for the first time, later paid the defendant’s bail for him.
The allegation is that the 22-year-old mason, of Lot 12 Supply, East Bank Demerara, on April 14, 2019 at Seawall Road, Georgetown, stole one Samsung S8 valued at $85,000 property of Travis Rampaul.
The two men reportedly went to the seawall to ‘lime’. After being asked to carry out an errand for Rampaul, Bennett allegedly removed the cell phone from the car.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, but gave his explanation of what happened on the night in question. Based on his account, the magistrate entered a not guilty plea.
According to Bennett, he was at a Chinese restaurant ‘liming’ when Rampaul, whom he said was a stranger to him, pulled up in a car and offered him a drink. “After he buy the water for me, he told me let’s go to town and get two girls.”
Bennett related that they went to Georgetown and picked up two girls from a bar then headed to the seawall. It was there that Rampaul reportedly handed over all his money, his phone and a gold chain.
“I feel this man carry me like a bodyguard, because when he gave me the stuff, he told me that I should keep them for him because people does get rob on the seawall,” Bennett stated.
He alleged that Rampaul then asked him to collect a pack of cigarettes from the car. However, when he went to the car, there were no cigarettes. He said Rampaul then sent him to purchase a pack of cigarettes.
“I give he the money and chain and I keep the phone because he didn’t ask for it. I then went to buy the cigarette, but four men robbed me on the way. I was scared to return and say what happen, because I didn’t know how the man would react.”
Bennett allegedly headed to a friend in Georgetown where they called the Timehri Police Station to report the matter. They were advised to wait for a patrol vehicle in the area to return to look out for the ‘robbers.’
“We stand up outside and shortly after a patrol van came and the same man who I was with was in the van. They took me to the Timehri station and put me on the bench, but when I explained to the man [Rampaul] what happen, and that I would work to pay him back for the phone, he just tell me that I have to go to court.”
However, Rampaul related a different story to the court as he mentioned that he did pick up Bennett. “I stopped at the shop to buy something, but then I saw him [Bennett] and he looked hungry to me, so I offered him the drink and asked if he wanted to lime with me.”
The alleged victim further indicated the information is correct as Bennett stated; however, the defendant was the one who asked for the cigarettes.
“After I found that he and my phone were missing, I borrowed someone’s cell to track my phone. It showed that the person was going up the East Bank of Demerara with it, and that is how I found Bennett, who then told me what happened.” Rampaul stated.
Magistrate McLennan then adjourned the hearing until April 26, for statements. Bennett was released on $10,000 bail and instructed to report to the Grove Police Station every Friday.
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