The defendant, 19, of Best Village Squatting area, pleaded guilty to two robbery under arms charges before Magistrate Fazil Azeez.

Particulars of the first offence said, last February 21, at Best Road, armed with a knife, he robbed Ms. Kavita Ram of one shoulder bag valued $8000 and $30,000 cash.

On the same day, Police said Henry robbed Kavita’s mother, Mrs. Jankie Ram of one Motorola cellular phone, a shoulder bag and $16,000 cash, all valued $25,000.

The Magistrate imposed a two-year-sentence for each offence but ordered that they run concurrently (along with each other).

Police Sergeant Sherwin Matthews, prosecuting, said about 10:00 hrs on the day in question, the virtual complainants were walking along Best Road when the defendant went up to them and placed a knife to Jankie’s neck and asked her to hand over everything she had.

Matthews said Henry also used the knife to cut the bag straps of one of the victims and Kavita also handed over what she had.

After he attempted to get away, Matthews said an alarm was raised and Henry was apprehended by public spirited citizens at Best Squatting Area, after which he was taken to the Police station.

Henry’s mother appeared in court with tears in her eyes and told the Magistrate that she could not understand how her son could have robbed someone since he lives on the East Coast and only went to stay with her recently.

She also informed the Court that Henry has a pending matter at one of the courts on the East Coast of Demerara.

Reports are that Henry was detained after police responded to calls from residents who witnessed the robberies committed on Mrs. Jankie Ram, 42, and her daughter, Kavita Ram, 20.

The bandit whom they identified has been robbing villagers near Best Road Cemetery where the place is bushy.

Jankie Ram told the Guyana Chronicle that they were on their way to the city to shop when they saw the robber and they tried to turn back but he came upon them swiftly.

“It was a fight, my daughter and I fought with him when he cut our bags and took all the money we had and the knife fell to the ground and he ran away,” she explained.

The woman said that it was about 10:00am and after she saw the cuts on her daughter’s hand she tried to fight off the bandit.

Jankie Ram added that the robber took about $35,000, national identification card and National insurance scheme cards her daughter had in her handbag and escaped when they screamed for help.

Mrs. Ram pointed out that a man who was in the process of painting a tomb came to their rescue and took them to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.

She recognised the swiftness of the police in apprehending the bandit who reportedly robbed about 15 other women in the area in broad daylight and got away.