HAVING become financially desperate after losing his job, a Tunapuna man, who resorted to a life of crime was on Monday sentenced to 72 months' hard labour.
Port of Spain Magistrate Marissa Gomez imposed the sentence on the man, Raheem Philbert, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery that took place in St James and San Juan earlier this year.
Philbert appeared before the magistrate during a virtual court hearing. After the charges were read, police prosecutor Cpl Smith, recommended that the matters be heard summarily (heard and completed at the Magistrates' Court).
Philbert also elected to have the matters heard at the lower court, before entering his guilty pleas.
In his plea in mitigation, he explained to the magistrate that he recently lost his job and was "desperate" for money. This was the only reason why he decided to commit the crimes, he said.
In accepting the State's evidence, Philbert said he did not wish to waste any of the court's time and wanted to begin serving his sentence so that he can use him time while in prison to learn a trade and become a more productive member of society when released.
On each of the charges, the magistrate imposed 72 months' prison terms. Both of the sentences are to run concurrently, meaning that Philbert will only serve 72 months.
