A clothes vendor who pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing a gold band from another man was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Jason DeNobrega, 18, on October 13, at Charlotte Street, stole from the person of Vincent Metivier-Ali a gold cricket band valued $240,000.
Prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that Metivier-Ali was inspecting a construction site at Charlotte Street when he was approached by the accused and two others along a passageway. Harvey said that they relieved Metivier-Ali of the gold band and subsequently ran away. However, while they were making good their escape, Metivier-Ali raised an alarm and public-spirited citizens gave chase and the defendant was detained but the other two managed to escape.
The defendant was taken to the police station and Metivier-Ali pointed him out as one of the men who had engaged in the unlawful act.
The Berbice resident, when asked by the court if he had any previous convictions, said, “Your worship I went to jail for six months…de seh how meh de steal a cellular phone… I begging you fuh a lighter sentence fuh dis offence.”
The magistrate took into consideration both the mitigating and aggravating circumstances in handing down the sentence.
The accused then expressed the view that prison would make him stronger. “Is only stronger I gon get,” he said after he was told that he was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
