Bus tout gets two years in prison for armed robbery

Aug 03, 2019 News

A minibus tout was yesterday hauled before a city magistrate where he was made to answer a charge of armed robbery. He allegedly held up a foreign visitor at knife point and relieved him of his cell phone.

Jailed: Ernie Reid

Twenty-six-year-old Ernie Reid, of 185 ‘B’ Field Sophia, Georgetown, was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where at first he denied the charge when it was read to him.
The charge alleged that on July 31, 2019 at Parade Street, Georgetown, the defendant while armed with a knife he robbed Connor Haynes of an IPhone valued at $290,000.
Facts of the charge were presented by police prosecutor Christopher Morris. On the day in question Haynes was walking on Parade Street when the defendant came from behind and held him at knifepoint.
Reid then attempted to relieve the victim of his phone however, Haynes held onto it. The defendant then said, “If you don’t give me the f**king phone I will bore you.”
Scared for his life the victim handed over the phone.
The defendant during his attempt to make good his escape was caught by public spirited persons red-handed with the phone in his possession and the knife.
After the prosecutor related the facts of the charge Reid decided to change his plea and offered an explanation for his actions.
He stated, “I was working a bus because the conductor get lockup so we headed to Eve Leary. I left and while walking down Parade Street I see the man. I don’t know what fly in me head but I snatch the man phone.
“I didn’t mean to do it but I got financial problems and I didn’t use the knife I just had it on me.”
Magistrate McGusty then sentenced the defendant to two years in prison leaving him to ask if the offense is bailable. She responded with a laugh and reminded him of his guilty plea.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News