NA Man Remanded for Vandalism At Republic and Scotia Banks
October 29 2025
The accused, Azore Joseph, 25, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Reliance Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to answer charges of damaging property belonging to Republic Bank and Scotia Bank, both located on Strand, New Amsterdam.
When asked to confirm his address, Joseph told the court that he did not know it.
Attorney-at-Law Akim Lampkin, who represented Joseph, informed the court that his client has been suffering from a psychiatric condition that reportedly began about four months ago while he was living in Georgetown.
He said Joseph was later brought back to New Amsterdam, where his condition continued to deteriorate.
Magistrate Matthias indicated that a psychiatric evaluation would be required before the matter could proceed. However, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Mark Edwards requested that Joseph be remanded.
Attorney Lampkin objected, arguing that remanding his client would not be beneficial, especially since Joseph’s family had already assisted police with his arrest after videos of the alleged incident circulated on social media.
He urged the court to send Joseph directly for a psychiatric evaluation instead of remanding him.
The prosecution, however, expressed concern that if Joseph is to be sent to the National Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation, he might be released afterward.
Magistrate Matthias ruled that the charge could not be read since Joseph appeared unable to comprehend it.
Joseph’s mother, Gloria Simon, who was present in court, told the magistrate that her son had been living in Georgetown and began exhibiting abnormal behavior about three months ago.
She said she brought him home to New Amsterdam but never managed to have him evaluated.
Lampkin also informed the court that Joseph is a construction worker and has a relative serving in the Guyana Police Force.
After listening to the submissions, Magistrate Matthias ordered that Joseph be remanded and taken for a psychiatric evaluation.
The matter has been transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court and is scheduled to continue on November 6, 2025.
On Sunday October 26 2025, Joseph allegedly damaged property at both Republic Bank and Scotia Bank on Strand, New Amsterdam.
At Republic Bank, he reportedly broke four glass windows, two glass doors, and two ATM machines. At Scotia Bank, eight glass windows and two glass doors were also damaged.
