Thief jailed for 18 months for seawall robbery
A man accused of robbing three persons at the Kingston seawall was jailed for 18 months after he admitted to one charge while denying two other charges.
Christopher Niles, 24, admitted that last Saturday, at the Kingston seawall, he robbed Bibi Mangru of a purse valued $20,000 containing $20,000 cash, and a cell phone valued $35,000.
He is also accused of robbing Mahonie Mangru of a purse valued $30,000 containing $50,000 cash; and
Teckchand Balgobin of a $20,000 gold chain; and sometime before, after or during, used personal violence against them.
He pleaded not guilty to these charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Niles told the court that he grabbed the purse from Bibi out of frustration.
The police prosecutor objected to bail based on the seriousness of the charges. According to the prosecutor’s facts, the victims were in a car at around 10:40am parked on the Kingston seawall when Mahonie decided to go for a walk with her sister while their mother was left in the car.
The mother reportedly saw when Niles passed them on a bicycle, assaulted them by dealing several cuffs and kicks to them, and snatched the items.
The matter was reported to the police and Niles was later arrested and charged.
Niles was sentenced to 18 months in jail for robbing Bibi and was remanded on the other two charges. His next hearing has been scheduled for October 31st.