Bridgetowwn
Amelia Joseph, 36 and Keenon Chase, 22, were remanded to HMP Dodds yesterday evening when they appeared in the District B Magistrate Court on human trafficking charges.
Joseph who is pregnant was not remanded when she appeared in the Bridgetown Magistrate's Court last week but yesterday police prosecutor Sergeant Wendell Greenidge objected to her being granted bail.
Greenidge told Magistrate Laurie -Ann Smith-Bovell that although Joseph was not know to the court, he was concern that if she was granted bail, there might be interference with the witnesses.
The prosecutor told the court that the officer investigating the case had informed him that the witnesses had been approached.
Greenidge said that further investigations have to be carried out in reation to the report.
"No one is supposed to know where these witnesses are being housed", Greenidge said.
Joseph told the court:" You are innocent until proven guilty. I am not know to this court or any other court. I am only a suspect in this matter and nothing has been proven. People are only alleging I did these things".
Smith-Bovell asked Joseph if she had approached any of the witnesses, the accused replied she had no cell phone and therefore ould not contract anyone.
Chase then sought to speak on behalf of Joseph telling the court that his co- accused had been granted bail by Magistrate Deborh Holder in the Bridgetown Magistrate's Court last week.
"Yes but what Miss Holder would been hearing then, I am hearing something different now", Smith- Bovell said.
"Seeing that the issue has been raised by the proecutor, I must protect all persons involved. Under the circumstances you are both remanded into custody until May 28", the Magistrate told Chase and Joseph.
They are jointly charged with the trafficking of five Guyanese women.
