Moments after admitting that he robbed a 75-year-old homeless man of his welfare cheques, a career criminal begged Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant “for a little break”.
That break came in the form of a 12-month prison sentence for Shawn Omar Hinkson.
Hinkson, 33, of Pavilion Road, Bank Hall, St Michael, was given the sentence after pleading guilty to robbing Darrell Clarke of a wallet containing $25, a Barbados identification card, two welfare cheques, $60 and one cellphone valued $64 on June 6, 2018.
The court heard from prosecutor Sergeant Edwin Pinder that Clarke has been homeless for the past four years and sleeps in either Independence Square or Heroes’ Square in the City.
On the day in question around 3 a.m., he was walking on the boardwalk heading towards Bay Street when Hinkson attacked him from behind, held on to his neck and threw him to the ground.
The complainant started to scream loudly and Hinkson told him, “Shut up or I am going to cut your throat.”
He then placed a knife to the complainant’s throat, kicked him twice, put his knees in the man’s left side and removed the property.
Hinkson subsequently cashed the cheques and spent the money and disposed of the id card in a garbage can along Bank Hall. He was eventually arrested and charged. None of the property was recovered.
The assailant, who is currently serving a six-month sentence imposed by Magistrate Douglas Frederick in August, pleaded with Cuffy-Sargeant to be lenient on him.
“I am begging for leniency. I am very sorry,” he said. “This is a year that my mother dead and I lost my father at 18 and I lost my brother last year. I planned not to waste your time…I would like a little break.”
He however denied putting a knife to the complainant’s throat.
After checking his conviction card and before sentencing him, Cuffy-Sargeant told Hinkson that he had been given several chances.
The 12-month sentence will run consecutively with his current six-month sentence.
Scofielddddd…..
His hands want breaking
The system here so stink and backward all he do is attack de man lock off he neck pelt he pun De ground put a knife to he throat threaten he to kill he kick de old man twice n rob he dahs all……so de sweet considerate judge give he 12 months …i never hear suh much DOG FLEAS in my life look wunna young so rob n threaten old ppl like mad hear De system fuh wunna all wunna gine get is 12 months…SMH ….These judges encourages this behaviour!!!!!
This lowlife criminal asked the Magistrate to give him a break; sentence him to 5 minutes with the right 75 year old who will break his neck. He is a disturbingly disgusting creep.
Armed robbery should start at 5 years, 12 months! he can do that standing on one foot.