…Magistrate advises young criminal

A 21-year-old man was on Monday sentenced to 50 months in prison for simple larceny.
It is alleged that on March 2 at Hinck Street in central Georgetown, Darren Baley, who was armed with an offensive weapon (a pair of scissors), robbed Mahindra Donaught of one LG cellphone worth $25, 000 and one wallet valued $ 2,000 which contained $240 cash
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge with an explanation. He told the court that he mistook the virtual complaint for someone’s nephew who had owed him money from the interior.

According to the facts presented in court by the prosecutor, Donaught was walking along the roadway when he was approached by the defendant with the scissors. The accused placed the scissors to the man’s neck and then relieved the victim of his wallet and phone which were in his pants pocket. He then ran away.

At the same time police ranks were passing through the area and upon receiving information, they carried out a search and found the accused at the Stabroek Market. The wallet and phone were in his possession.

Magistrate Judy Latchman, before passing sentence, told the accused that he should not steal from anyone because people “worked hard for their stuff” and he should work for his. She then sentenced him to 50 months in prison.