A convict was yesterday sentenced to three years behind bars after admitting to 10 charges, including eight counts of armed robbery.
Travis Payne, 27, of 46 West Ruimveldt, had been charged on June 24th with the crimes and was set to be tried before Magistrate Annette Singh in George-town.
However, Payne, who is currently serving a sentence for robbery, had a change of heart and opted to plead guilty to the charges, which also included one count of discharging a loaded firearm and another charge of escaping police custody.
The charges were then re-read to him by the magistrate.
The charges date back to October 10th, 2018, when Payne is alleged to have used a gun to rob Mohammed Ishmael of a cellphone, valued $40,000, and a flash drive, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
It was also alleged that on the very next day, while in lawful custody at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost for an alleged armed robbery, he escaped.
According to the charges, on November 26th, 2018, Payne allegedly robbed Colin Edwards of two gold chains and a cellphone, which had the combined value $362,000. It was alleged that on January 30th, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, Payne robbed Michael Agrippa of articles valued $522,000, and Terrence Park of cash and a cellphone, valued $12,000.
It was further alleged that on July 19th, 2019, at West Ruimveldt, George-town, he also allegedly robbed Raul Ramnarine of $26,000 in valuables.
The court also heard that in the company of others, Payne, on January 19th, 2019, at West Ruimveldt, allegedly robbed Angela Caesar of a handbag and its contents, which were estimated at $13,500 in value; and on January 30th, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, he allegedly robbed Ronaldo Eduardo of a cellphone and cash, which carry a value of $7,800, and Randy Simon of $90,000 cash.
Payne was also charged with discharging a loaded gun at Roxselle Naipaul, with the intent to harm, on May 23rd, 2019, at Tucville, Georgetown.
Police prosecutor Visram Ramjattan told the court that the crimes were reported by the victims, which later led to the arrest of Payne. He added that a few of the items were recovered by the police.
Magistrate Singh then asked the accused if he wished to say anything and he asked that the court be lenient with him.
He was then sentenced to three years for each of the 10 charges, however, the sentences will run concurrently, which would see him only serving three years.
