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