A 26-year-old bus conductor, who held an overseas visitor at knifepoint and robbed him of his phone, was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to armed robbery.
Ernie Reid initially pleaded not guilty to the charge but after hearing the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris, he changed his plea to guilty.
The matter was heard by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the George-town Magistrates’ Court.
The charge stated that on July 31st, at Parade Street, Georgetown, Reid robbed Connor Haynes of an iPhone, valued $290,000.
According to Prosecutor Morris, Haynes, who is an overseas visitor, was walking along Parade Street when Reid approached him from behind and held him at knifepoint. He proceeded to demand the phone from Haynes, who refused to give it up, which led to Reid saying, “If you don’t give me the phone, I gon bore you up.”
After hearing those words, Haynes, who was in fear for his life, handed his phone to Reid. However, as the robber began making his escape, Haynes raised an alarm and public-spirited persons began chasing Reid. He was later caught and the phone was found in his possession.
After listening to what the prosecutor said, Reid admitted that what he described indeed happened. However, he maintained that he did not use a knife. He said that considering the fact that he lived in an area where frequent robberies occur, he felt it necessary to arm himself with a knife.
Furthermore, Reid added that on the same day, another conductor was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department. He went along with him and after getting frustrated waiting, he left. While coming out of a bus, he noticed Haynes and relieved him of the phone. “I don’t know what fly to my head mek me snatch he phone,” he said, before proceeding to ask the magistrate for leniency considering it was his first offence.
He went on to say that it was also due to his financial situation that he took the phone. “Honest to God, I didn’t really wan do it,” he said, while shaking his head. He then apologised for his actions.
After listening to what was said, the magistrate said that at his age, she didn’t expected Reid to be so impulsive. Reid interrupted her and, in an effort to boost his credibility, claimed to be a shop owner and musician. Further, to prove that he was a musician, he began singing.
After he finished the song, the magistrate sentenced him to two years in jail and a stunned Reid asked, “So this offence is not bailable, Your Honour?”
