Raphael Hintzen, who is currently serving a five-year-long sentence, was yesterday sentenced to an extra eight years in jail after he pleaded guilty to two additional counts of armed robbery.
Hintzen, 22, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts over a month ago charged with armed robbery.
It was alleged that on January 25, at South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, being armed with a gun, he robbed Sydel Hector of a quantity of cash and a Samsung Galaxy cell phone, amounting to $204,000. It was furthered alleged on the same day, being armed with a gun, he robbed Ryburn Fraser of a quantity of cash, including foreign currency, totaling $855,040.
The unrepresented Hintzen had pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. However, when he reappeared yesterday for the start of his trial, Hintzen pleaded guilty to the offences.
He told the court, “My worship I am very sorry and I am begging you to be lenient with me because I am already on a five years.” Upon having the second charge read to him, he continued to plead, “I have a daughter I would like to go home to and I learn my lesson.”
The police’s case is that on the day in question, at about 12:05 AM, the two victims were sitting in a car when they were confronted by Hintzen, who shot Fraser and then robbed the men.
Fraser was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted and later discharged. During an ID parade, he positively identified Hintzen as the person who carried out the robbery.
Hintzen was before another court recently for offences of a similar nature and he was convicted and sentenced.
After taking all the factors mentioned into consideration, the magistrate sentenced Hintzen to four years imprisonment on each charge.
