JERMAINE Rowland, who robbed businessman MahendraArjune of $2,047,445 as he was about to Providence Service Station, at East Bank Berbice, was sentenced to two years imprisonment yesterday.

Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo also ordered that the  retrieved booty be returned to the virtual complainant forthwith, after the 18-year-old confessed to the robbery with violence.
Following a previous appearance, he had been remanded to prison pending his sentence. Initially, Rowland was not required to plea to the indictable charge but admitted committing the crime after  Police Sergeant Phillip Sherriff, prosecuting, applied for a summary disposal of the case.
The Court was told that, on May 31, prior to entering the fenced premises, the virtual complainant saw Rowland, who had a  cage in his hand while picking bird seeds nearby.
Arjune disembarked his motor vehicle and made a telephone call to his parents informing them of his safe arrival at the business.
But, as he returned to his car to uplift the bag containing the money, Rowland sprayed a peppery substance in his face, resulting in a scuffle between them, despite the discomfort experienced by Arjune.
Meanwhile, during the fracas, several members of the public were alerted and they assisted in apprehending the robber and recovery of the booty.