23-Y-O man previously remanded for robbery now charged for motorcycle theft

Shawn Inniss, a 23-year-old man who was previously remanded to prison on a robbery charge, has been remanded to prison once again after being charged with the theft of a motorcycle.

Inniss of East Coast Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to stealing a motorcycle valued at $450,000.

The motorcycle, belonging to Anvesh Bathani, was reportedly stolen on March 20, at Robb Street, Georgetown.

Inniss’ attorney told the court that his client had previously worked at the location where the alleged theft occurred. The attorney further stated that Inniss’ mother has informed that her son suffers from mental instability and frequently smokes marijuana. Due to his condition, he may have believed he was still employed at the establishment.

It was the mother, the lawyer claimed, who called the police after noticing the stolen motorcycle at their home. This led to Inniss’ arrest and subsequent charge.

The prosecution opposed bail, stating that Inniss had deliberately altered the bike’s appearance by spraying it over with black paint in an attempt to disguise it.

When this was told to the magistrate, Inniss interjected, explaining that he had taken the bike home for its protection. He claimed that individuals with whom he had prior conflicts had been causing trouble in the area and that he feared they would steal the motorcycle.

He said he took the motorcycle to his mother’s house for safekeeping, as he had done before while working there.

The virtual complainant agreed to accept compensation provided that his motorcycle was repaired and repainted. However, he was unable to estimate the cost of the repairs. They are to return to court on March 28. Until then Magistrate McGusty ordered that Inniss be remanded to prison.

This is not Inniss’ first run-in with the law. In 2019, at the age of 18, he was remanded to prison along with two others—Harrcarlaus Harris and Daniel McArthur.

Particulars of that charge stated that, on October 17, 2019, at Camp Street, Georgetown, they robbed Elton Mookho of two cellphones valued at $298,000, and before or immediately after, they used personal violence towards the victim.

Prosecutors had objected to bail being granted to the trio and told the court that they were positively identified by Mookho.

Magistrate Leron Daly, after listening to the prosecution, had remanded the teens to prison.

It is unclear when and under what conditions Inniss was released from prison.