Bail revoked in kidnap plot amid probe into threats from jail

The alleged driver of a car in which a woman was reportedly kidnapped, robbed, and beaten in Kingston Thursday had his bail revoked after it was reported that he had threatened an individual who he believed was responsible for his arrest.

The accused, Ricardo Burrows, and his ex-girlfriend, Monique Miller, as well as Russan Slowly, were arrested and charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy, and robbery with aggravation.

Miller is also charged with receiving stolen property and simple larceny, while Slowly is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

All were arrested last February, but only Burrows was released on bail.

When the matter was mentioned on Thursday, the investigating officer informed Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montaque that he has received credible information that Burrows had approached an individual and threatened him. Slowly has allegedly been calling a witness from behind bars and threatening to inflict harm once he is free.

The investigator told the court that he is in the process of recording a statement and asked the judge to take Burrows into custody.

Attorney-at-law Davion Vassell, who is representing Burrows, however objected, arguing that the investigating officer had failed to mention that the person his client had allegedly threatened was not a Crown witness. Vassell also asserted that the Crown had no case against his client as he was not pointed out by the complainant.

While conceding that the person in question was not a Crown witness, the investigating officer told the court that he believes the allegations are true. The cop said that while Burrows was not pointed out by the complainant, the police had information that he was, indeed, the driver of the car used in the abduction.

The judge subsequently revoked Burrows' bail and instructed the investigating officer to complete the statement by 1 p.m. Friday for the matter to be mentioned this afternoon.

Slowly was remanded, while the court was informed that Miller was not brought because there is an outbreak of the coronavirus at the South Camp Remand Centre.

Allegations are that on January 31, 2021, about 6:30 a.m., the complainant boarded a motor car, which was being operated as a taxi by Burrows. Slowly and Miller were both aboard the vehicle.

Shortly after entering the vehicle, the woman was allegedly told by Burrows that “she buck up inna criminals this morning”.

Burrows allegedly instructed Slowly to cover the complainant's face with a mask. The complainant was reportedly relieved of her handbag containing her cellular phone and credit card by Slowly.

The accused then reportedly took the complainant to a location, where she was left alone with Slowly, while Burrows and Miller took the card after forcing her to give them the access code.

Miller and Burrows reportedly went to Half-Way Tree where they spent $12,206 at a pharmacy and approximately $39,000 at a supermarket in the Liguanea area.

It is also alleged that they went to several ATMs in the Corporate Area and made withdrawals amounting to about $145,931.

The court also heard that Slowly inflicted several blows to the complainant's arms, legs and face, dislodging a tooth.

Vassell also represents Slowly, while attorney-at-law Anna-Kay Kelly represents Miller.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com