Ward of the State robs schoolgirl of $500

A ward of the State who ran away from the government home where he was housed was remanded in custody pending sentencing, after pleading guilty to robbing a schoolgirl of $500.

The 16-year-old ward who will not be named as he is a minor, is charged along with 18-year-old Oleaq Davis for robbery with aggravation. However, Davis did not enter a plea when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, as his lawyer Shannon Clarke made an application for the Crown to assess the file against her client.

It was shared with the court that on February 21, the complainant, a 12-year-old, was walking along the roadway when the men, one of whom was armed with a knife robbed her of $500. As the men attempted to escape, they were held on to by civilians, who then handed them over to the police.

"Was he going to school any at all?" Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque asked the minor's mother.

"He was in the state care. He was living at [name redacted] and I think he ran away from there and come to town," the mother said, adding that her son had a matter before the Family Court.

A social-enquiry report was requested for the minor to assist with sentencing on June 12. He was remanded in custody until then, while Davis had his bail extended to return to court on that same date.

- T.T.