A 30-year-old man who said that he was “just joking” when he attempted to steal a handgun from a security guard attached to the Bank of Guyana was yesterday sentenced to a three-year prison term when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
On October 25 at the Bank of Guyana, Devon Shaw attempted to commit a felony by trying to steal a 9mm pistol, property of the said bank.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of attempting to commit a felony when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Lionel Harvey in giving the facts of the case said that on the day in question, the security guard was standing at his location outside the bank with his gun safely secured to his side when the defendant walked up to him and tried to snatch the weapon and run away.
Harvey said that a report was immediately made to the police and Shaw was subsequently arrested.
When given a chance to respond, Shaw, who was untidily dressed explained with an occasional smile that he was merely joking with the security guard whom he said he knows as a friend.
“I just put me hand by weh the gun went and touch it, but I din really going fuh tek it fuh truth,” he said.
“I de just joking man, me and he is good friends and we does mek jokes yuh know,” he added.
No representative from the bank was present at court.
The unrepresented Shaw, who said he walks around doing odd jobs for persons, was sentenced to three years in prison.
After being handed down the sentence, he calmly made his way to the chute to exit the court but he kept shaking his head in disbelief while still smiling.