Despite fervent efforts to prove his innocence, 43-year-old taxi driver Gregory Howes was yesterday sentenced to three years behind bars after being found guilty in a city court of snatching a woman’s chain.
In defending himself, Howes, after cross-examining the virtual complainant and the only other witness who testified in the matter; surmised that their testimony against him was a fabricated story.
He contended too that he was slapped with the charge because of “police victimization.”
At the close of the prosecution’s case however, the court ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against Howes who was then called upon to lead a defence.
He said he had no witnesses to call on his behalf and opted to tell his story from the prisoners’ dock in unsworn statement where neither the prosecution nor magistrate could have asked him questions.
He argued that the case had been based on hearsay.
After reviewing the evidence presented, Magistrate Judy Latchman said the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and all the elements of the offence were also proven.
The magistrate stated that the defendant snatched the woman’s chain from round her neck with the intention of appropriating and permanently depriving her of the article.
Police Inspector Shellon Daniels had advanced that the defendant never discredited the prosecution’s witnesses on the material aspects of the case. She noted too that he never denied being on the scene or that the chain was recovered on his person.
Further, the issue raised by Howes of never being placed on an identification parade was dispelled by the prosecutor. The magistrate cautioned him that since he was positively identified by the complainant on the scene, there was no need for him to have been placed on an ID parade.
Daniels, reminded him also that based on the evidence of the complainant which was corroborated by the police officer in plain clothes who witnessed the incident, he was apprehended immediately after the incident.
He was identified by the complainant who kept her eyes on him from the moment he rode up and snatched her chain, up to the time he was caught by the police officer who drove his car and braced him off his cycle before arresting him.
After noting the seriousness, prevalence and the strong message of deterrence which needs to be sent to potential offenders, Magistrate Latchman informed the father of four that he would be imprisoned for the next 36 months.
“Don’t you ever snatch anyone’s chain again,” Magistrate Latchman warned.
“Ma’am, I din tek that article,” the defendant calmly responded.
The allegation against Howes is that on November 8 at Regent Street, Georgetown, he stole from the person of Natasha Sheriff, one gold chain valued $65,000.
