PH driver jailed for robbing two women

The accused man, Eric Caton, 32, of Chaguanas told senior Magistrate Nannette Forde-John in the San Fernando First Magistrate’s Court that he robbed the women to obtain money to provide for his family, which includes a sixmonth- old baby.

The charges read to Caton alleged that on August 23, at Duncan Village, he robbed Sybil Ramsumair, 74, of a gold chain valued $2,000, two gold rings and a gold bracelet.

The second charge alleged that he robbed Jocelyn Garraway,62, of grocery items, cash and other items. Caton pleaded guilty to the charges laid by PC Markus Lange of the San Fernando CID.

Police court prosecutor Sgt Dianath Harricharan told the court that at about 1.55 p.m. on August 23, along Mucurapo Street, San Fernando, Ramsumair boarded a Nissan B15 vehicle to be taken to Duncan Village, San Fernando. Caton was the driver.

Harricharan said minutes later, Caton stopped the vehicle near an isolated area and announced a hold-up. Ramsumair was the only passenger in the vehicle. Caton ordered that the woman hand over her jewellery and cash. He then ordered the pensioner out of the vehicle and drove off.

Forde-John heard that on September 24, another woman identified as Jocelyn Garraway,62, boarded a vehicle near Cross Crossing, San Fernando.

Upon reaching Rushworth Street, San Fernando, Caton announced a hold-up. Garraway was also the only passenger in the vehicle.

Caton grabbed the woman’s hand and demanded that she hand over money. Garraway was robbed of a purse, glasses valued at $4,000, grocery items and $135. Caton then ordered the woman out of the vehicle and drove off.

Both women reported the incidents to the San Fernando Police Station where police constable Lange conducted investigations which led to Caton’s arrest. The stolen items were also recovered.

Yesterday, Caton, who was unrepresented by an attorney, told the magistrate he was sorry for the crimes he committed. “I lost my work and I have a six-month-old baby at home. I am also the sole breadwinner of my family, I did not mean to rob those women, but I just wanted to bring home food in the house for my family.”