Loader man who allegedly robbed police offered bail

A loader man who allegedly robbed an off-duty police officer of a gold chain, valued at US$1,300 (approximately $195,000), was offered bail on Tuesday when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

It is alleged that on October 6, 2022, the complainant was walking along Peters Lane, South Parade, Kingston, when she was approached by three men, one of whom was armed with a knife, who robbed her of her gold chain.

A tussle ensued between the complainant and the men, and in fear of her life, she discharged one round of her licensed firearm in the air. The men escaped on foot and the accused, Shamar Graham, was apprehended the same day by members of the police's Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch.

The prosecution informed Senior Parish Judge Paula Blake-Powell that they were opposed to bail, as Graham was convicted in 2020 for larceny from the person, and is now in custody for robbery with aggravation.

"Your Honour, the offences are similar in nature and Your Honour, the Crown is committing that if Mr Graham is to be offered bail at this time, it is likely that he may recommit an offence of this nature," the prosecutor argued.

But the Crown's submissions were not enough to sway the senior judge, who offered the accused man bail in the amount of $100,000 with a surety following arguments from Graham's attorney, Terrisha Grant.

"He is a labourer and he loads taxis downtown. Mr Graham is maintaining his innocence at this time, and he is strongly denying the allegations against him Your Honour. My instructions are that Mr Graham at no point in time visited Peters Lane in recent years," Grant said.

Further, the attorney said that his client was taken into custody, as he was not able to assist the police when asked certain questions when he was accosted.

Grant contends that her client works hard to sustain his family and pleaded with the judge for bail, with strict conditions attached, as he is asthmatic and the conditions in custody do not help his health condition.

In granting bail, judge Blake-Powell made an order that Graham reports to the police daily and surrender his travel documents. A stop order was also imposed.

The matter is set for mention on April 25 for file completion.