Anthony Conroy Francis received $15,000 for supplying the getaway vehicle and the nine millimetre hand gun that was used to rob the Southampton Princess branch of the Bank of Butterfield, a court heard yesterday.

Francis, 27, of Stadium Heights, Devonshire, denies robbing the bank and possessing a handgun on October 14, 1994.

He is alleged to have worked in concert with Che Pennyman during the robbery.

Pennyman is serving a 12-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to the robbery earlier this year.

Pennyman, who began his testimony yesterday and will be cross-examined later this morning, said he left his home on Crisson Avenue in Pembroke and went to Hamilton on the day of the robbery. He saw a friend whom he told of his intention to rob the bank.

At another friend's home, he met Francis and reiterated his intention to rob the bank.

"He (Francis) told me that he was going to rob the bank and I was to hold the bag,'' Pennyman said.

"I said no problem and we talked about transport. I had a bike and he had one. We went on his bike...we talked about who was going to go inside. He said he (Francis) was going inside because it was his gun.

"We then left and went country (Southampton).'' On the way, Pennyman said he and Francis stopped at Lisa Caines' home on Camp Hill because they needed a bag in which to put the money and a scarf.

Pennyman said went inside and found a white Meyer Agency bag in Caines' apartment while Francis stayed outside with the cycle.

"We left the house and went and got some gas at the bottom of Camp Hill and we went to (Southampton) Princess,'' he said. "Once we were in the parking lot, I jumped off the bike but Conroy (Francis) stayed on the bike.

"I asked him why and he said he was not going inside the bank. He said he felt more comfortable staying outside. I got mad because the plans were changed. I took the gun and went inside.'' Pennyman said he robbed the bank "like they do on TV''. He fired one shot into the ceiling and gave a teller the bag and told her to fill it.

He said there were other people in the bank at the time but he had a scarf over his face and a helmet on which obscured his identity.

"She filled it up. I took the money and went into the parking lot where I left Conroy (Francis). He was gone so I went to try to find him. He was up on a hill near the tennis stadium sitting on his bike.

"I shouted out to him and he came down and picked me up.'' Pennyman said they sped off on Francis' blue V-80 motorcycle along South Shore Road and went to Caines' home. There, Pennyman said he locked the door and dumped the money on the floor. He sorted out the cash and gave Francis the gun.

He said he gave Caines, Francis and Troy Rawlins who happened to be at the apartment, money and Francis received $15,000.

"Me and Conroy were supposed to go back to town. But I changed my mind and stayed in the country. Troy told Conroy to take him to town and Conroy told him to ride the bike. They went their way and I went mine.'' Scenes of Crime officer Det. Sgt. Howard Cutts said that officers found the gun in a heavily wooded area off Spice Hill Road in Warwick one day after the robbery.

It was wrapped in a green scarf. Five days later, Police went to a home on Eastdale Lane, where they found the black helmet that Pennyman wore during the robbery.

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade. Mr.

Khamisi Tokunbo appears for the Crown while Mr. Archie Warner is representing Francis.