A city magistrate yesterday sentenced a man to prison after he pleaded guilty to five charges, including three counts of armed robbery and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Joshua Joseph was read the charges by Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Joseph was charged with possession of a .38 revolver without being the holder of a legal firearm licence and possession of four live .38 rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a legal firearm licence. Both offences were committed on May 29th, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown.
He also admitted that on May 29th, at Water Street, Georgetown, while in the company of another and armed with a gun, he robbed Satyanand Deosarran of $25,000 in cash and a $5,000 cellphone.
Joseph also admitted that on the same date and at that very location, while in the company of another and armed with a gun, he robbed Zabid Hamid Baksh of $50,000 cash. Once again, on that very day and at the same place, while armed with a gun and in the company of others, he also admitted to robbing Parsram Persaud of $40,000 cash and a $30,000 phone.
According to Prosecutor Sanj Singh, after robbing the victims at gunpoint, Joseph and his accomplice attempted to escape and began running in the direction of Hadfield Street. However, an alarm was raised and the duo was chased until Joseph jumped over a fence and into the yard. Joseph was then attacked by dogs, which led to his capture. The firearm and ammunition were found in his possession.
Joseph was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison for each of the robbery charges and two years for the illegal firearm and ammunition charges. However, he will serve only three years, as the sentences are to run concurrently.
