A sweets vendor is to spend the next five years in jail after he admitted to robbing fellow vendors in a gunpoint attack in Charlestown.
Raahim Abdool, also called David Bernard, of Lot 17 Broad and Lombard streets, Charlestown was sentenced yesterday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, after he pleaded guilty to two armed robbery charges as well as possession of illegal firearm and ammunition charges.
The charges stated that on August 17th, at Lombard Street, Georgetown, while in company of others and armed with a gun, Abdool robbed Ameesh Rambajhan of $70,000 cash and a $42,000 cellphone. It was also alleged that on the same day and at the same place, he robbed Kumar (only name given) of $14,000 cash and a $25,000 cellphone.
Additionally, Abdool was charged with having a .38 revolver in his possession on the same day at Broad Street, Charlestown, without being the holder a firearm licence. He was charged as well with having three .38 live round of ammunition in possession at the same time and at the same place.
According to Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, Abdool committed the attack around 3.30 am on Saturday. Both Kumar and Rambajhan, who are vendors on Broad Street like Abdool, were approached by him and two other men. Abdool and his accomplices were armed with guns and one of them held the two vendors at gunpoint as they demanded that all valuables be handed over, Mansfield said. The two vendors immediately complied but Abdool demanded more money.
The prosecutor went on to tell the court that Abdool placed the gun to Rambajhan’s head and began counting to five. Out of fear, the vendor guided Abdool to his minibus which was parked close by. Rambajhan’s wife was waiting in the vehicle and upon seeing her husband at gunpoint, she handed over a purse which contained a cellphone and cash. Abdool and his accomplices then fled.
After a report was made to the police, Abdool was subsequently held with the gun and ammunition. The two vendors positively identified him as the man who robbed them at gunpoint.
Abdool pleaded guilty to all four charges. He apologised to the court and told the magistrate that he borrowed the gun to raise money.
The magistrate sentenced him to three years in prison for each of the armed robbery charges, with the sentences to be served concurrently. He was also sentenced to two years in jail for unlawful possession of the revolver and another two years for the possession of the ammunition, which will also be served concurrently.
The magistrate ordered that Abdool serve his sentences for the robberies after completing the time to be served for the illegal and ammunition charges. As a result, he will spend five years in jail.
