Teen accused of armed robbery given second chance, to undergo counselling

An 18-year-old labourer was given a second chance on Tuesday by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, following a charge of armed robbery.

Omar Kenneth is accused of robbing Suman Bridgelall of two cell phones valued $30,000 with the use of personal violence on December 1, 2018, at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The teen pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the Magistrate for leniency.

“I’m not a person like this…I never been in no police situation before” the teenager said.

Kenneth explained that he dropped out of school and has not seen his mother for over a year.

He was homeless until he managed to get boarding at a friend’s house in Sophia, where he would sleep in the night and search for work during the day.

Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield said Kenneth held a knife to the victim’s neck and robbed him of the phones before escaping on foot.

The victim raised an alarm and an off-duty police officer caught Kenneth.

After listening to the teenager’s story, the Magistrate ordered that the teen complete two weeks of community service and that he undergo counselling for family trauma.