Teen jailed for snatching woman’s gold chains

Patrick Smith, 18, was yesterday sentenced to one year imprisonment for snatching two gold chains from a woman.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry imposed the sentence at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where Smith was also remanded on a separate charge of larceny from the person, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Smith admitted that on December 2, 2012, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he stole two gold chains, valued $120,000, from Constance Judy Haynes.

Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick said that Smith is known to Haynes since they live in the same area. Haynes, he told the court, was walking along the road when Smith, who was on a cycle, rode past and snatched the chains from around her neck and then made good his escape.

The court further heard from Bostwick that Haynes subsequently raised an alarm, leading to public-spirited persons giving chase; the teen was arrested and charged.

When asked by the court if he accepted the facts related by the prosecutor, Smith, who was unrepresented by counsel, stood calmly in the docks and responded in the affirmative.

Smith, however, denied that on December 17, 2012, at Georgetown, he stole a gold chain and pendant, valued $80,000, from Michelle Henry.

He was remanded to prison and the case was adjourned until January 31.