Man attempts robbery because of hunger

A man who claimed he attempted to rob another of a cell phone because he was hungry was sentenced to six months in prison when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court recently.

The accused, Junior Blair, pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted robbery.

The court heard that on January 30 at about 2:10 p.m., the complainant was walking along Eastwood Park Road in St Andrew when Blair approached him and said, "Gimmie you phone because me nuh want spill you blood ova vanity."

The court further heard that Blair continued to tell the complainant that he is a good man and does not want to harm him, so he should give up the phone. The complainant said he feared for his life and offered to give Blair money. The complainant then managed to kick Blair in the groin and ran to the police, who later arrested Blair.

When the presiding judge, Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, asked Blair why he should not go to prison for his actions, he said, "A because me did feel

hungry..."

However, Pusey stopped him in mid-sentence, saying, "You joking this thing out. Do six months."

After hearing his sentence, Blair stood in the dock begging for a reduced sentence. "Please me a beg you, me sorry. Me nah joke it out. Give me 30 days instead."

A police officer had to forcibly remove him from the dock.