No bail for man accused of shooting Candy

SHARLENE RAMPERSAD

UPDATED:

Claude Mike, the 64-year-old man accused of shooting two-year-old Candy Loubon, will spend Christmas behind bars as he was denied bail when he appeared before a Princes Town magistrate yesterday.

Mike, of Penal Rock Road, Moruga, was charged with wounding Candy with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on December 2. The girl was shot as she stood next to her mother in front their home at Penal Rock Road, Moruga. The pellets are still in her body, as doctors fear trying to remove them could leave her paralysed. She is still at the San Fernando General Hospital in stable condition.

Mike surrendered to police on Monday afternoon. When the charges against him were read by Magistrate Michelle Maharajh-Brown, he was not called upon to plead. He was also charged with possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition without a licence and with possession of a firearm without a licence. The charges were laid by Sgt Commissiong and Mike was represented by attorney Richard Clarke-Mills.

Prosecutor Sgt Sookdeo objected to Clarke-Mills’ application for bail, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and the close proximity of Mike’s home to Candy’s.

Sookdeo told the court Mike has two previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and one pending matter for possession of marijuana. He said he was concerned if Mike were granted bail, he would try to “interfere” with the child and the witnesses in the matter.

But Clarke-Mills said although his client has previous convictions, they were not of a violent nature. He said Mike is married, has 11 children, is very family-oriented and is a retired employee of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation. He asked the court to grant Mike bail on the condition that he would live somewhere away from Candy’s home.

However, Maharajh-Brown denied the request, saying the court took into consideration her continued hospitalisation, her age and the seriousness of the offence. She adjourned the matter to January 5 and advised Mike of his right to apply to a judge in chambers for bail. She asked the prosecution for an update on Candy’s condition when the matter is called again.