Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons sent a 60-year-old Hamilton Parish man who robbed a store manager at knife point and stole $150 to jail for more than three years.
The court heard that Kevin Robinson entered Belvin’s Variety Store in Smith’s Parish around 11.20am on May 21 and demanded cash at knifepoint.
The store’s assistant manager opened the cash register after Robinson jumped over the counter and held a knife to one of the employee’s neck.
Robinson also told the assistant manger several times: “Open it or I will hurt you.”
He admitted charges of robbery and possession of a three-inch pocket knife earlier.
Justice Simmons also heard that Robinson was identified from security camera footage in the store.
She noted that an “unwitting accomplice”, who gave Robinson a ride to and from the store, came forward after he heard about the robbery.
Terming it a serious offence, she gave him a discount on his sentence for his early guilty plea and apologies to the court.
Robinson was sentenced Robinson to three years and three months imprisonment for the robbery and two years for the possession of the knife.
The sentences will run concurrently.
He was also ordered to serve two years of probation after his release from prison, with orders to pay $150 in restitution to Belvin’s.
The court also heard that Robinson has previous convictions for the theft of $360 worth of sports shirts in February 2018 from Sports Cellar in Hamilton.
He also pleaded guilty to stealing $772 worth of cigarettes from several stores back in 2013.
In both cases, he told the court that he was addicted to heroin and asked for help to receive treatment.
