The driver of a getaway car used in a daylight robbery at Chisholm’s Supermarket in North Side last September was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday.
Ian Fernando Ellington, 29, had pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in the robbery.
Ellington was among four people originally charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm to commit robbery. Courtney Bryan, 20, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years imprisonment. A juvenile, said to be the second person entering the store with Bryan, has a trial set for next month. Odain Lloyd Ebanks is scheduled for sentencing next week.
The accessory charge was that Ellington, knowing that Bryan and the young person had robbed the store, drove them in a getaway vehicle from the scene of the robbery. After his guilty plea, the Crown left the robbery and firearm charges on file.
Justice Charles Quin noted that the robbery involved putting the store owner and her granddaughter in fear of force in order to steal cigarettes, a gold chain, pendant, phone and watch – to the total value of $1,495.
He praised the courage and quick thinking of the robbery victims – the owner recorded the vehicle’s license number and the younger woman called 911 as soon as the robbers left. That enabled police to deploy a helicopter and police cars and intercept the vehicle in the High Rock area of East End.
Defense attorney Guy Dillaway-Parry pointed out that there was no evidence Ellington went into the shop or knew a firearm or violence would be used. Unlike the robbers, Ellington was not masked, and he did not threaten anyone.
Justice Quin observed that there was no evidence that Ellington was a reluctant participant.
In sentencing Ellington, the judge noted that the maximum sentence for being an accessory after the fact of robbery is seven years. In this case, he considered the appropriate sentence to be four years.
However, he noted that Ellington had no previous convictions and his participation in the robbery was said to be out of character. He also had a good reference from his wife and from his employer, who described him as reliable, able to work unsupervised, and doing a job to perfection. On that basis, the sentence could be reduced to three years.
Then, taking account of Ellington’s early guilty plea, the judge said he was giving a one-third discount. The result was two years, with credit for time served.
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