CJ warns of long jail for maxi bandits

Chief Justice Sat Sharma warned would-be maxi-taxi bandits to be prepared to face long custodial sentences when caught and convicted. The CJ noted that in recent times there has been a proliferation of this kind of offence and the public needs to be protected from individuals who carry out such offences. The CJ, together with Justice Stanley John, made these points while affirming a six-year sentence imposed on Keron George for hijacking a maxi-taxi and robbing its passengers, who were travelling from Port-of-Spain to Chaguanas on February 28, 1997 at about 6.30 pm. George was convicted of the offence on August 8, 1997, and sentenced to six years hard labour by Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar at the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court.

CJ Sharma told George that he was fortunate to receive just six years, noting that a strong message has to be sent to others who may have the same intention, and ordered the sentence to start from yesterday. George was unrepresented, while special prosecutor Devan Rampersad represented the State. The facts of the case was that George and another man who were travelling in the maxi announced a hold-up. George was armed with a gun and the other man had a cutlass. They then proceeded to rob Sunil Maharaj, Simeon James, Michael Hernandez, Marilyn Scott and Garvin Henry, of cash and jewelry. Later that same evening, PC Johannie Abraham received information and followed the maxi-taxi, which came to a stop near the Southern Main Road in Cunupia.

He observed George and another man alight from the vehicle. George aimed his gun at Abraham, fired a shot and then he and the other man ran. Abraham returned fire. George was later arrested on March 4, 1997, and was pointed out at an identification parade. George denied the allegation, claiming that at the time of the incident he was in Malick, “liming with Peng and Hat.” He then left and while waiting to get a taxi to San Juan, he was shot by someone in a vehicle that drove by, and it was at the hospital that the police questioned and arrested him he said.