Men ‘switch’ gender to commit robbery

Two men who are accused of robbing a man after posing as female sex workers were denied bail after their case was heard in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday.

The men are charged on an indictment for robbery with violence. It is alleged that the men created fake profiles on a dating site, purporting to be women who could provide sexual favours. They reportedly met with the complainant at his home, and robbed him of his laptop, phone, cologne and other personal items earlier this year.

However, as the men stood uncomfortably inside the prisoner's dock on Monday, they begged Parish Judge Venise Blackstock-Murray for bail, claiming their innocence.

"We have been in custody for a month and a week for something we didn't do, Your Honour," one said.

However, prosecutors contend that the men have additional matters pending before the Court.

"There is a strong possibility that they have other matters," the Crown Counsel said, noting that their prisoners' card indicated that they are to be before the court for other matters in July.

But the other defendant disputed the prosecutor's claims, stressing that they did nothing wrong.

"Your Honour, is the first time we coming to court," he responded.

Despite the men's plea for freedom, they were remanded in custody until July 21, when their matters are to be mentioned.