A mason was yesterday sentenced to six months in jail after being on remand for a robbery he confessed to last September.
Eighteen-year-old Michael Gibbons of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, was sentenced by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court virtually.
In September, 2021, the man who told the court he is a mason, was charged with stealing a quantity of valuables amounting to $1.8 million from a woman. It was reported that he was among three persons who robbed her. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was remanded awaiting a probation report for sentencing.
However, due to the file being absent from court on some occasions and a delay in composing a probation report, the man’s sentence was postponed. During yesterday’s session the probation report was read to the court and indicated that the man registered several misdemeanors while in school and after exiting the school system before graduating. The probation officer said that Gibbons has shown remorse for the crime. The court also heard that the man can turn his life around if he takes the time spent in jail to reform himself. The probation officer also suggested a short sentence.
Gibbons agreed with the probation report and admitted that he was troublesome but asked that the court and the virtual complainant accept his apology. He said that he is aware that his actions were wrong and that he should face the consequence. He asked that his sentence not exceed two years in jail. The virtual complainant who was given a chance to address the court following the probation report, told the man that he must learn from his mistake. She told him that he should get a job and stop letting his friends lead him along the wrong path. She said that he was among three persons who robbed her and she added that she recovered only some of the valuables that were stolen. Around $700,000 worth of items were not recovered.
The Police Prosecutor also told the court that the man needed to learn a lesson and it is his hope that after serving a suggested 18-month sentence behind bars, he will return in a better condition. He told the court that he suggests that time because the man was on remand for five months prior to yesterday’s sentencing.
After listening to both the suggestions, the Magistrate handed down the six-month sentence. She explained that the time decided on is based on the time spent on remand, the circumstances for prolonged sentencing, the reduced value of articles stolen since most were recovered and the man’s remorse. Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus told the man that he is in this situation because of the company he keeps and she suggested that he was being led by a bad crowd. She added that upon release he should find a job and “pull yourself together,” because he is young and has potential.
