KELVIN Keon was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton, on two armed robbery charges.

The 20-year-old, of Lot ‘YY’ 8 North East, La Penitence, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable offences, particulars of which said, last June 22, at gunpoint, he robbed Andre Damon of one cell phone valued $4,000 and $15,000 cash and Christine Bailey of another cell phone and a handbag, together valued $49,500.

Police Inspector Desiree Fowler, prosecuting, successfully objected to bail for the accused, on the ground that a firearm was used to commit the robberies.

Defence Counsel Gary Ramlochand, in his failed bid to secure pre-trial freedom for Keon, said the latter has been in custody since last week Tuesday and was not fingered at an identification parade conducted on Monday.

The lawyer said Keon sells water coconuts outside the Guyana Fire Service Headquarters, at Stabroek, also in the city and would suffer emotional scars if incarcerated.

But Keon was ordered to stay in jail until July 25