KNOWN convict Michael White, of Lot 177 Triumph, East Coast Demerara, appeared Wednesday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with robbing Russian tourist Vokou Vischesar of a gold chain valued US$500, the equivalent of G$100,000, on March 5 at High Street, Georgetown.In addition to that, at time of the incident, before or immediately after, White is alleged to have made use of personal violence on the Russian.

The prosecution’s facts are that Vischesar, a Caucasian who resides in Russia, was wearing the article mentioned in the charge whilst taking photographs of the city of Georgetown on the day in question at around 11:15 hrs.

The court heard that White snatched the Russian’s gold chain, and when the Russian looked at him, White became annoyed and dealt the Russian several cuffs about his body. White then attempted to run away, but public spirited persons caught him and immediately summoned the police.

A search carried out on White’s person at the Brickdam Police Station recovered the chain in his mouth, and he was subsequently charged for the offence.

The unrepresented White told the court that he had indeed taken the chain from Vischesar, but did not hit him.

White informed the court that he had come out of prison only last month, after spending 30 months in jail for a break-and-enter offence.

He was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for the offence.