25-Y-O man remanded for vandalising banks in Berbice

A 25-year-old man has been remanded to prison for allegedly vandalising two banks in New Amsterdam, Berbice on Sunday.

Azore Joseph of Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam, today, appeared at the Reliance Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias where he was charged with damaging infrastructure at Republic Bank and Scotia Bank, both situated on Strand, New Amsterdam.

Joseph’s attorney Akim Lampkim told the court that his client was suffering from a “psychiatric condition” which developed about four months ago.

Joseph’s mother, Gloria Simon, who was in court, said that her son had been living in Georgetown for some time and about three months ago, she was informed that he had been behaving abnormally, and as a result, she brought him home to New Amsterdam. However, she never evaluated his condition.

The magistrate said that a psychiatric evaluation will be needed before moving forward.

Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Mark Edwards asked the court to remand the accused. Attorney Lampkin interjected, saying such a move will serve no benefit. The lawyer further outlined that since the incident occurred, Joseph’s family had been cooperating with investigators.

Nevertheless, the magistrate remanded Joseph and ordered that he be taken for a psychiatric evaluation. Joseph will have to return to court on November 6 where the matter will be called up at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court.

Police had reported that between 9:30h and 9:50h on Sunday, at Republic Bank, four glass windows, two glass doors, and two ATMs were destroyed while at Scotiabank, eight glass windows and two glass doors were damaged.