A man who said that frustration led him to attempt to rob another man was sentenced to two years behind bars when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Akeem Ishmael, who had previously been convicted of stealing a cellphone, which he compensated the victim for rather than serving time in jail, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty on another charge. This time, he told the court that he had been frustrated when he tried to rob a man at High and Hadfield streets.
The charge against him stated that on December 23rd, 2019, at High and Hadfield streets, Georgetown, Ishmael attempted to commit a felony, that is to say, while armed with a knife, he attempted to rob Jose Rue Tablante.
The unrepresented man pleaded guilty to the charge but asked to give an explanation. The court heard that on the day in question, Ishmael had been frustrated about money. “My worship, I got a one-year-old daughter and I was paid Friday but it was only $15,000…it done. So I get frustrated,” he said. The man then told the court that his plan was to push his hand in Tablante’s pocket and take his money.
Tablante, who was also present, told the court that he went to town to shop and while he was at the bus park, he felt someone push their hand in his pockets. After he looked back, he saw the defendant and tried to defend himself by grabbing Ishmael’s hand. They ended up in a scuffle and were separated by a passing police constable.
Ishmael admitted that what Tablante had said was the truth. He then asked for his sentence to be a “small” one. The magistrate subsequently sentenced him to two years behind bars.
