TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD mason Wendell Austin, of Lot 134 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was sentenced to 56 months imprisonment yesterday, by Magistrate Judy Latchman, for robbery under arms.He had first appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to the charge that said, on Saturday, January 4, at Longden Street, Georgetown, being in company of others and armed with a knife, he robbed Kishan Persaud of one Toshiba laptop computer, one Blackberry Bold cellular phone, one silver band and ring and $15,000 cash, together valued $216,000.
His trial commenced on January 24 and the Prosecution was led by Police Inspector Joel Ricknauth. Magistrate Latchman informed the convict that, having considered the seriousness and prevalence of the offence in today’s society and the organised manner in which the crime was committed and the fact that a weapon was used, he must serve that sentence.
Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, had said previously that, around 12:30 hrs that day, the victim was walking along Longden Street heading to Timehri Mini-bus Park, when the defendant in company of another male placed a knife to his neck and relieved him of the articles mentioned in the charge.
The incident was reported and the defendant was positively identified by the virtual complainant on an ID parade.
Austin was escorted to the washroom yesterday, while his case was put down for a while to be recalled for sentencing.
But, on his way back to the courtroom, with his hands cuffed in front of him, he bent down and picked up a piece of wood and pelted in the direction of members of the media.
Fortunately, the reporters who were standing approximately 10 feet away from the prisoner, managed to dodge the object.