A masked teenager who robbed a central George Town jewellery store armed with a fake handgun and a hammer has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
Brevon Sincere Watson, who appeared in Grand Court by video link on Monday, 13 July, sat with his head bowed as Justice Cheryll Richards announced the sentence.
Richards told him, “This was a daring, daylight robbery in the centre of George Town, just feet away from Seafarers Way.”
But she said his age, clean criminal record before the robbery, as well as evidence that as the eldest child, he was a support to his mother and younger siblings, should be weighed in the balance.
Richards also heard that he had been forced into the crime by others, to whom he owed $3,000-$4,000, and had feared for his and his family’s safety if he had not done as he was told to repay the debt.
She said, “The offending is out of character for him. He is relatively young at 19 years old, with a level of maturity that might not be the same as an older adult.”
She said Watson had grown up in a single-parent household and had suffered from depression.
Mitigation
Grand Court earlier heard from defence counsel Amelia Fosuhene that Watson had burst into Caribbean Gold on George Town’s Fort Street on Saturday, 22 Nov. last year, threatened two staff members inside and smashed display cases.
The male member of staff tackled Watson, who hit him with the hammer, injuring his back and hand, before he dropped the replica gun and ran from the shop with a handful of jewellery.
The staff member required hospital treatment and stitches to the hand wound.
But Watson only got as far as nearby Mary Street before he was arrested by police, with items of jewellery, still with price tags attached, on him.
A spokesman for Caribbean Gold said after the sentence, “We have kept faith in the system and law and order. Even though I am sorry for what we experienced and what has happened to him, this will help keep our community safe.”
He added that, even though the incident was months ago, it had “caused significant changes in our lives and left a lasting emotion”.
The spokesman said what had been “a normal working day” in a “familiar environment” had changed.
He added, “We can still feel that fear … and we’re trying to find our way through.”
Reputational damage
The spokesman said offences like the raid on Caribbean Gold damaged “community safety, business confidence and the reputation of the Cayman Islands”.
He added, “It’s important that this matter sets a clear example that offences that harm our island and the people are treated with the utmost seriousness.
“Individuals must be encouraged to consider the consequences of their actions with full awareness that our judicial system and courts are committed to upholding justice with firmness and integrity.”
The spokesman said, “As a nation, we rely heavily on tourism. Our image, our safety and stability are essential.
“When we have crimes in public-facing businesses with tourists present, it not only affects those directly involved, it also sends a concerning message to visitors and investors.
“It creates fear within the business community and places additional strain on those who work hard to uphold the integrity and reputation of our islands. We as a community have a shared responsibility to protect and care for our Islands.”
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