CITY Magistrate Judy Latchman, on Monday, handed down a 56-month sentence on two men accused of robbing minibus passengers at Agricola, East Bank Demerara.

Jermaine Daley of 44 Cooper Street, Albouystown and Akeem Charles of Lot 178 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Latchman on two charges of robbing passengers in a minibus at Agricola in May, 2015.

Particulars of the first charge are that on May 25, at Agricola, they robbed Bibi Raziah of one shoulder bag, one purse, $35,000 cash, a GBTI bank card, a Western Union card, and other items totalling $40,000.
The second charge stated that on the same day, at Agricola, the defendants, in the company of others, robbed Bibi Khan of one gold chain valued at $80,000.
The magistrate took into consideration all mitigating factors and informed the court that she found the defendants guilty after a trial that had been going on for over four months.
The magistrate also emphasised that the robberies were planned and the accused had used violence against Bibi Raziah. Additionally, she pointed out that she considered the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the need to impose a sentence that could serve as a deterrent.
According to the prosecution, on May 25 at about 10:45 hrs, Razia and Khan joined a route 42 minibus to travel to Georgetown, and the two accused also joined the vehicle.
Daley and Charles, however, requested to be put off at Flour Mill Road in Agricola. The number one accused, Daley, dealt Khan several cuffs to her face and relieved her of a gold chain, while the number two accused, Charles, took away the articles belonging to Razia.
The report made at the Agricola Police Outpost by the bus driver caused the police to go on a mobile patrol in Agricola, where the bus driver positively identified the two accused. The prosecution had called six witnesses, including the two victims and the minibus driver.
The two defendants, in addressing the court before sentencing, were still in denial of the offence. Dailey in protest told the magistrate, “I ain’t want serve time fuh sumting I ain’t do,’’ while his accomplice, Charles, denied knowledge of robbing the two women.
Both defendants were jailed for 56 months respectively on each charge but the sentence will run concurrently.

By Clestine Juan