Two men who pleaded guilty to robbing a convenience store eight years ago have been ordered to pay a combined $30 000 in fines.
Justice Carlisle Greaves recently imposed the sentence on Dwayne Alastair Dyall, of 4th Avenue Harts Gap, Christ Church and Ramon Ricardo Callender, of No 3 Grazettes, New Road, St Michael.
The men had pleaded guilty in the No. 3 Supreme Court to entering, as trespassers, First Stop Convenience Store, on July 11, 2014, and stealing $6 195.38 belonging to S and L Management Services Ltd.
Senior State Counsel Neville Watson told the court that seven employees were on duty at the business located at Thorpes Main Road, St James on the mentioned date when two masked men entered and robbed the establishment.
The culprits then fled but police investigations later led to the two suspects.
Speaking in court, Callender apologised for his part in the criminal enterprise.
“I would like to apologise to the victims, I would like to apologise to the court, I would like to apologise to my family with regards to my part played in these matters. At that point in time, I was weak-minded . . . . Going forward from there, I will make sure . . . that I never participate or get involved in that type of behaviour,” he said.
Dyall, meanwhile, said: “I am sorry for what happened, Sir, and I apologise to the court and the [victims] . . . . I have changed my life. I have gotten a job, my family depends on me . . . . I am just sorry for what happened. I will never go back to bad company.”
In handing down the sentence, Justice Greaves accepted the submissions of the prosecution that a starting point of eight years in prison be imposed, with deductions for the time the men had spent on remand.
That left Callender with three-and-a-half years and Dyall with two years and eight months.
The judge said given that the men had not engaged in any further criminal conduct or had any convictions since the time of the offence, the term of imprisonment would be suspended and a fine imposed.
“A chance will be given to these [convicted] men to become productive citizens,” the judge said as he suggested that Callender and Dyall give back to one of the men’s organisations in the country.
He then imposed a $15 000 fine on Dyall which had to be paid forthwith or he would face two years and eight months in jail.
Callender was also fined $15 000. Of that amount, he had to pay $5 000 forthwith and the remaining $10 000 in six months or spend three-and-a-half years in prison.
A $15 000 forthwith fine was also imposed on Callender on another charge of having an illegal firearm on October 22, 2014. He also had to pay $5 000 forthwith for possession of six rounds of ammunition or spend three-and-a-half years in prison.
Dyall was represented by Andrew Pilgrim, K.C. and defence counsel Martie Garnes while attorney-at-law Jayden Thomas represented Callender.
