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Princess Casino robbery… Cornered bandit gets 60 months
“Judy, I will see you again,’ were the words of Wayne Griffith, moments after being sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment for a robbery at the Princess Casino, Providence, East Bank Demerara.The judgment was handed down yesterday by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, at the conclusion of the trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Jailed for 60 months: Wayne Griffith
Griffith was one of three men who were arrested and charged for the multimillion-dollar robbery at the gambling spot.Griffith, 29, of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara; Andre Blackman, 35, of Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara and Junior Stuart, 30, of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, were accused of robbing Daniel Roberts and Alfea Gajadhar of $8,951,000 – property of the Princess Casino.However, the matter against Blackman and Stuart was dismissed by the same Magistrate, who ruled that the Prosecution failed to prove that the duo were part of the crime.Yesterday, before a packed courtroom, which had additional police security, Magistrate Latchman detailed her ruling. The Magistrate told the court that after viewing the video footage of the robbery, she was able to positively identify Griffith as one of the bandits.She added that due to Griffith’s action, the Casino suffers great economic loss. The Magistrate went on to tell the court that she strongly relied on the evidence of the Prosecution witnesses who were lead by Prosecutor, Shellon Daniels.
While the Magistrate was going through the evidence, Griffith, who was slouched in a chair, turned to the Magistrate and shouted, “Your honour, let’s skip this long, long reading and just sentence me, let me go downstairs. What you reading ain’t making any sense.”
The Magistrate then continued by telling the court that she is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that it was Griffith who was seen on the video footage and it was he, who ran out the casino and surrendered to the police.Griffith, upon hearing this, interrupted the Magistrate for a second time by shouting, “You watch the video twice and you see me and I watch the video twice and ain’t see me. Look don’t waste my time, just sentence me and done.”
The court orderly upon observing Griffith rocking away in a chair told him to stop. A visibly upset Griffith shouted, “Y’all f#$k off.”
The Magistrate after going through the evidence told Griffith that she found him guilty.When asked by the Magistrate how old he was, Griffith shouted, “Your honour, I have nothing to say to you. Just give me the sentence let me go downstairs.”Magistrate Latchman told the court that she took into consideration the fact a weapon was used in the commissioning of the offence, and the fact that persons were injured and had to seek medical attention.
She then sentenced Griffith to 60 months imprisonment, citing the need to prohibit others from contemplating same.
Griffith after hearing that he was sentenced turned to the Magistrate and said, “Give meh it in years, so I can know how long I have to spend.” Magistrate Latchman replied by saying five years.
While Griffith was being escorted out of the courtroom, he turned to the Magistrate and stated, “Judy, I will see you again.”
According to police, four men arrived at the Princess Casino in a white motorcar bearing a fake number plate. They were armed with guns and entered the Princess Casino, discharging several rounds in the process.
They relieved a security guard of his shotgun and ordered patrons and staffers to lie on the ground. It was reported that the gunmen held a cashier at gunpoint and made off with local and foreign currency.
Three of the bandits reportedly escaped on foot, while police were able to apprehend Griffith who was trapped in the Casino. One of the men was reportedly arrested in a house a few days after the robbery with a large quantity of wet money and other valuables.
Another one of the gunmen allegedly provided the gunmen with vital information about the gambling spot’s operations. During the ordeal, Police Lance Corporal Andrew Richardson and four hotel staffers sustained gunshot wounds.
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