‘Trust Week’ lands man in jail for seven years
A man who was caught hours after robbing a family on Matura Beach last Friday, told a magistrate it was "trust week" (meaning he had no money and had to take things on credit), but the magistrate was unimpressed and sent the man to jail for seven years with hard labour. Earnest Knutt 29, of Range Road, Fiver Rivers, Arouca appeared before Magistrate Cheril Ann Blake in the Sangre Grande First Court charged with robbery and malicious damage of tyres on a vehicle belonging to Debra Rojas. A pregnant Rojas, her husband John and two children, four and two-years-old were at Matura Beach about 5 pm on Friday when Knutt and two other men armed with guns and a cutlass confronted Rojas who was in her vehicle watching her family bathe. Rojas, 39, of Cascade, Maraval, was robbed of her cell phone and a gold and diamond bracelet valued $18,000. Before the men left, they slash the four tyres on the family’s vehicle. A call was made to the Matura police who responded immediately. Cpl Russell Celestine and PC Dave Mootilal went in search of the men. One hour later they found Knutt liming in Arthur’s Bar in Matura. He was pointed out by Rojas. The bracelet and cell phone were found on him. He was arrested by PC Mootilal and charged with the offences. When Knutt appeared yesterday before Magistrate Blake, he pleaded guilty and begged for leniency. He told the court that it was "trust week" for him and he was in need of money so he robbed the woman. Magistrate Blake commended the police for their quick response and arrest. She added that other police officers should take example from Celestine and Mootilal. Court Prosecutor, Sgt Premanand Ramsingh informed Blake that Knutt had been charged previously with similar offences.
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"‘Trust Week’ lands man in jail for seven years"