One year jail for ‘sorry’ handbag thief

Orin Accra was yesterday sentenced to a one-year prison term after he was found guilty of an armed robbery, in which he stole a lady’s handbag at knife-point.

Accra, 25, of 461 West Ruimveldt, had denied the armed robbery charge when was arraigned on August 30, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

He was accused of robbing Wilma Sookdeo of a handbag containing a cell phone, an umbrella, lipstick, a brush, and other articles that were valued at $18,280 in total.

Magistrate Leron Daley handed down the sentence yesterday. When Accra was asked what he had to say before his sentencing, he said, “I am sorry for what I did”.

Prosecutor Denise Booker related to the court that Sookdeo was walking on her way to work at Industrial Site Ruimveldt with her bag around her shoulder, when Accra appeared from behind with a knife and demanded the bag.

Booker further noted that after she handed over the bag with the said articles, he then made good his escape on foot. Sookdeo, however, then raised an alarm and Accra was caught by public-spirited citizens.