By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A FORMER police officer could face up to life imprisonment if convicted of multiple armed robbery charges.
Codero Emmanuel, 23, was handcuffed and shackled for his appearance before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on three counts of armed robbery concerning a holdup at gunpoint on December 4.
The ex-constable, who was attached to the Tourism Unit, was an active police officer during the time of the alleged offences.
However, he was dismissed from the police force shortly before his arraignment.
The shackles on his feet appeared to be tighter than usual, which prompted the chief magistrate to have police officers loosen them to allow Emmanuel to walk properly.
During the arraignment, the judge asked the accused if he had said anything to the police about the tightness of the shackles.
Emmanuel said he did complain about them.
This prompted the judge to tell the dozen police officers in court that “defendants are not to come to the court fettered, that comes straight from the Privy Council.”
“For humanitarian purposes, please allow defendants to properly walk before the court,” the chief magistrate said.
Concerning the case before her, she informed Emmanuel that he faced three armed robbery charges.
It is alleged that on December 4, while armed with a handgun, he robbed three women of handbags, wallets, a Samsung cell phone, a silver chain, and other personal items, together valued at $970.
Emmanuel was not allowed to enter a plea to the charges as the matter is to be forwarded to the Supreme Court at his next court appearance on January 28, 2016.
His lawyer, Ian Cargill, asked the court to place him “in a secure part of the prison” because he is a former police officer.
“And if all courtesies can be extended to him,” Mr Cargill added.
“I will make a note to the commissioner of prisons that he’s a former police officer and as such, the necessary security measures be put in place,” the chief magistrate said.
Emmanuel was given a brief moment to speak with his fiancée before he was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services.
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