A MINER of East La Penitence was yesterday sentenced to four years imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for robbery under arms.Rafael Huintzen, 22, changed his not guilty plea to guilty for the offence that said on January 15 at Lot 2688 Manatee Place, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, being in the company of another, he held Rayburn Fraser at gunpoint and relieved him of a gold chain, a gold ring, $400,000 in cash and a quantity of foreign currency, together valued $855,040.
He also confessed that he at the same time at Lot 2688 Manatee Place, South Ruimveldt Park, being in the company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Sindell Hector of $200,000 in cash along with a cellphone to the value of $40,000.
According to the prosecution, the two victims were seated in a parked car when they were ambushed by Huintzen and another. The armed bandits demanded cash and jewellery from them but they refused, much to the annoyance of the men.
This resulted in a scuffle between Fraser and one of the robbers, and Fraser received five gun shots. They then made good their escape with the articles and the matter was reported.
The unrepresented man asked the chief magistrate to be lenient with the sentence.
Huintzen is presently serving a five-year sentence for another robbery under arms charge, which was handed down by Magistrate Judy Latchman.