Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Mother-in-law, four others found guilty in $7M robbery
The mother-in-law of a businessman, Malcolm Panday, acting in concert with four other accomplices to stage a daring armed robbery on Panday’s family was found guilty yesterday. Her accomplices were also found guilty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Convicted: Chandrada “Sandra” Rampersaud
Almost three years ago, on July 12, 2011, six persons were arrested in connection to the $7M robbery committed at Malcolm Panday’s residence in Bel Air.
Reports are that on that day armed bandits invaded Panday’s home and terrorised his wife and two sons at gunpoint. The family members including the then two and four year old sons were bound.
The bandits had secured over $7million in cash and articles before leading the police on a hot chase. The ranks eventually cornered the getaway car in the compound of the Ocean Spray Hotel in Kitty, Georgetown.
Three days after the July 12, 2011, robbery, seven persons were brought before the Chief Magistrate to face a joint charge of robbery under arms.
The accused were Panday’s mother-in-law Chandrada “Sandra” Rampersaud, 52, his wife’s cousin, Hardat Kumar, 26, of Owen Street, Kitty,Jermaine Mitchell, 23, of YY 15 North East La Penitence, Rabindra Seemangal, 23, of Lot 100 Sheriff Street, Aubrey Simon, 24, of 1414 Princes Street and Rayon Jones, 32, of Lot 2 Hardina Street, Wortmanville.
It was alleged that on July 12, 2011, at Bel Air they robbed Anne Ramsood of $7.4M, property of Malcolm Panday.
Another charge stated that Mitchell, Seemangal, Simon and Jones robbed Anne Ramsood of one Blackberry Curve cell phone valued at $47,000 and $380,000 cash.
Two separate charges were instituted against Simon. On July 12, 2011, he had in his possession one unlicenced 9mm pistol and eight rounds of matching ammunition.
It was further alleged that Simon fraudulently used identification mark PKK 3700, on a motorcar. Mitchell had also faced an unlicenced firearm and ammunition charge.
The accused had denied the claims but Seemangal pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment on each charge.
Following the closure of the Prosecution’s case by Special Prosecutor Attorney at Law Glenn Hanoman, the Chief Magistrate ruled that after examining the evidence before her, the court had found the accused guilty of the charges instituted against them.
During mitigation, Mitchell and Jones both denied playing a part in the robbery while the other three asked the court to be lenient.
Mitchell and Kumar both revealed that they had spent six months as remand prisoners whilst Panday’s mother-in-law begged not to be sent to prison.
The court heard that Jones is currently charged with receiving stolen property before Magistrate Ann McLennan. Kumar revealed too that he had two previous convictions.
Jones’ lawyer George Thomas was absent during yesterday’s proceeding so he asked the Chief Magistrate to allow him a chance to have his attorney mitigate on his behalf. Simon was absent from yesterday’s proceedings.
Addressing the court, the prosecution urged the court to consider that the offence which was committed not only involved a female but “there were also minor children involved, who are still suffering traumatic attacks from that day.”
She said that the act which was committed on the Panday family has affected his health, family life and overall well-being.
The lawyer remarked that the mother-in-law was known to Panday and her actions “has severely affected him and his children.”
The Chief Magistrate remanded the convicts to prison until today.
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