Pawn shop robbery suspect denies all charges

(CNS): A 20-year-old man has denied robbery, common assault and two counts of possessing an imitation gun in connection with a hold-up at the Cashwiz store in Bodden Town on 31 May. Appearing in Grand Court on Friday morning, Aaron McLaughlin pleaded not guilty to all four charges, which relate to a robbery at the pawn shop when he is accused of stealing $61 and a gold ring after threatening staff with an imitation weapon. McLaughlin is also accused of assaulting a police officer during his arrest a short distance from where the daylight robbery had occurred.  

McLaughlin was remanded in custody until his trial in September, which is expected to take three days.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man also pleaded not guilty to a mugging which took place in car park off the West Bay Road in January 2009. The prosecution says Rex Watler robbed his victim of a wallet that contained around $40, a driver’s licence and a credit card. Watler pleaded not guilty to one count of robbery and denies being one of two men who mugged a 44-year-old man behind the Triple Crown pub.

Watler was released on bail until March next year, when his trial will take place more than four years after the event. The judge queried the timeline and pointed out to the crown that it may face arguments relating to the delay in justice given the fact that the bill of rights will be in place by the time to trial starts.