Teen robbed of cell phone in transport centre

A senior parish judge expressed concern for the lack of proper security at one of the Corporate Area's transportation hubs.

"How is there no CCTV footage at the [Half-Way Tree] Transport Centre? So there is an opportunity for all types of crimes to be committed then. I thought there would be a live feed to the station at least," Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell said. Her comments followed the allegations that a construction worker robbed a fourth form student of his cellular phone, while the child waited on a bus in the transportation centre.

"That transport centre seems like a rather dangerous place," the senior jurist said. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday that the complainant, who is 16 years old, was approached by the accused, Tafari Harry. He was reportedly armed with a knife and demanded that the child hand over his cellular phone. After getting the child's phone, Harry ran away from the transport centre.

However, on another day, the complainant went to the transport centre and noticed Harry walking on the premises. The complainant then alerted the police and identified Harry as the man who robbed him on the previous occasion. Harry was subsequently arrested and charged for robbery with aggravation.

He did not enter a plea before the judge and prosecutors indicated that the child's phone was not recovered.

The matter was adjourned until May 13, for a bail application.