Bail for Accused Robber at Courts – in Magistrate’s Court

Eric Jones

A Belize City man accused of robbing his former workplace was given the opportunity to be out on bail in a surprise decision in the Magistrate’s Court. But he is nonetheless behind bars tonight after not having made bail by the close of the court this evening. Eric Jones is accused of four counts of robbery for sticking up, along with another man, Courts Belize Limited on the Philip Goldson Highway for one thousand, four hundred and twenty dollars on Thursday, May seventeenth, and also robbing three of its employees of their belongings. Jones pleaded not guilty and the court prosecutor, as per usual, appealed to deny bail on the basis that the offense was committed, allegedly, with a firearm. Magistrate Michelle Trapp turned to Jones for a response and he stated that he has an alibi for the time of the robbery – he was on his way home to deliver the day’s proceeds from ideal sales to his kids. That money was allegedly taken by police and suggested to have been what was stolen from Courts. The Magistrate found that there was no indication of how Jones was identified as one of the accused robbers, especially since the two men were said to be wearing masks. Acting under the ‘special reason’ provision of the Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act, Magistrate Trapp set bail of five thousand dollars with conditions. Jones is to report to Precinct One Police Station on Euphrates Avenue every Friday beginning on May twenty-fifth; attend all court adjournments, not to interfere with any prosecution witness or complainant either in person, through a third party, or any social media including Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter or text messages. Jones returns to court on July twenty-seventh but is tonight behind bars until bail can be secured. The prosecutor intends to appeal the ruling.