A security guard was yesterday sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to car theft at a city court.
Romario Henry, 21, admitted to stealing a Raum motorcar bearing licence plate number PMM 7569 on June 7, in Georgetown. The car, valued at $1,600,000 is the property of Mahendra Dhanpaul.
Henry was unrepresented, and took some time to reply to the Chief Magistrate when asked at which level of the court he preferred his matter be tried. His eyes, unfocused, ventured around the courtroom, as if seeking help. After further explanation from Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, he eventually said the magistrate’s court, and did not hesitate to enter his guilty plea.
When time came for him to offer an explanation for his actions, Henry dived into a story in which he was a part of some military training, and was involved in an investigation being carried out across Guyana, “from branch to branch to branch…” allegedly.
Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, at this point, interrupted the defendant’s rambling in what appeared to be an attempt to seek clarity. Henry then told the court that the complainant had given him permission to borrow the car but when he started to drive away he saw Dhanpaul running behind the vehicle.
According to the prosecution’s facts, however, and a statement submitted by Dhanpaul, he never lent Henry the car.
Dhanpaul had reportedly left his car parked on Middle Street, East La Penitence, with the key inside. The defendant then entered the vehicle, started the engine, and drove away. After a report was made to the police, the car was intercepted on a street in Albouystown, and Henry was arrested and charged with the offence. For his brief joy ride, he earned a sentence of 18 months imprisonment.
