A Route 41 minibus conductor was on Tuesday granted bail by City Magistrate Alex Moore for a robbery charge.
Thirty-three-year-old Romel Hoppey of 215 Guyhoc Park was accused of robbing Mario Eversley on May 28, 2016 in the vicinity of Durban Park of one Samsung Galaxy S5 cellular phone valued $110,000.
The charge also stated that Hoppey used personal violence upon Eversley during the robbery, he pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
The prosecution did not reveal the case facts to the courts, but made strong objections to bail since the defendant has several offenses of a similar nature in other courts.
The prosecution also revealed to the court that the accused was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for another offense that was tried at the Sparendam Magistrate Court.
The unrepresented Hoppey in his defense for his current charge told the court the accusation against him stemmed after the defendant allegedly ‘jammed’ one the lights on his bus, and could not pay for its renewal at the time. When he voluntarily give him his cellular phone to keep as ransom until he could pay for the damaged bus light.
Under critical examination of the matter Magistrate Moore granted Hoppey $75,000 bail but then reduced to $50,000 after he (Hoppey) asked for a lesser amount since he is currently unemployed.
The case was adjourned until June 28, for statements.
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