A gold chain thief who was again before the court on a similar matter was on Tuesday jailed for that offence and another when he stood before Magistrate Annette Singh.
Devon Holder of Lot 942 Onderneeming Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara (WBD), had a robbery charge read to him which stated that on April 5, 2018, at the Stabroek Market area, he robbed Komella Gibson of a gold chain valued $100,000 using personal violence on her in the process.
The 34-year-old initially denied that at about 16:25h on the day in question, he snatched the chain from the Virtual Complainant’s (VC) neck.
Police Prosecutor Devon Goodman told the court that the defendant attacked the woman with a knife while she was shopping, placed it at her neck then removed her chain. He allegedly dealt her several kicks and cuffs before making good his escape.
However, it was also revealed that Holder has another pending matter before the court.
He was previously accused of stealing another gold chain, this time from Rafeek Mohammed on January 9, 2018, also at Stabroek Market.
According to Goodman, the VC and his wife were visiting a friend’s stall at the market when they observed Holder passing them a number of times.
He then proceeded to snatch the chain valued $530,000 but was later apprehended and charged.
On his first appearance in court, he had denied that he committed the act. The court was later informed that the defendant had made arrangements with the VC to repay her for the chain.
The court heard that to date, Holder has paid $300,000 to Mohammed.
However, even though he continued to plead his innocence in both matters, Holder changed his plea and admitted to both crimes.
Magistrate Singh in handing down the sentence took into consideration that he did not waste the court’s time further and the fact that $300,000 was paid to Mohammed.
As such, she sentenced Holder to two years in prison for each of the charges, which are to be run concurrently.
After listening to the sentence, the defendant said, “I don’t rob people, I am a family man.”
