Shaquiel Mentore, one of the bandits who was shot last month after they robbed a woman of her handbag at Duncan Street, was fined yesterday after he admitted to the crime.
“…I was influenced by my friend but I begging for pardon. I saw my friend die in front of my eyes,” Mentore told Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court One, after he was asked why he committed the crime.
The charge stated that on February 18, 2020, at Duncan Street, Bel Air, he stole a bag from Rosanne Campbell containing a number of articles valued $49, 240.
Mentore, a labourer of Back Circle, East Ruimveldt, immediately pleaded guilty to the charge and stated that he was shot in his thighs by someone called “Kush” after he and his “friend” ran through his yard when they realised they were being chased by persons who saw them robbing the woman.
He said while in the yard, the people who were chasing them began hurling bricks and sticks at them. As a result, he said, his friend went to hide in the drums, while he was caught. He alleged that “Kush” then fired multiple shots at the drums his friend was hiding in and then pulled him out. Subsequently, he said, “Kush” approached him and shot him.
However, according to Prosecutor Sherwin Matthews, Campbell was walking along Duncan Street when she was approached by Mentore and another man. He said they snatched her bag and were attempting to escape when an alarm was raised and public-spirited citizens rushed to her aid. He said Mentore was subsequently shot in his thighs and was later taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical attention.
Matthews added that the bag containing the stolen items was recovered in Mentore’s possession after he was shot.
The magistrate fined Mentore $70,000. However, if he fails to pay the fine, he will serve eight weeks in jail. The magistrate also ordered him to speak to a probation officer for twelve months
While Mentore was shot in his legs, his accomplice, Randy Bowen, 22, of 184 Duncan Street, Campbellville, was shot dead.Stabroek News’ records revealed that Bowen was charged twice in recent years.
In March 2018, he and another man were charged and remanded to prison for two attacks in which the victims were robbed of their phones. A few months later, he was again charged with attempting to rob a uniformed police officer.
Meanwhile, in January last year, Mentore was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment after he admitted to snatching a cellphone. He had told the court that he needed money to purchase a bicycle.
