The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 25-year-old man, convicted in July of a failed robbery of a popular fast food restaurant, spent the first night of his 17 years behind bars at Her Majesty’s Prison after he was sentenced yesterday.

Jeremy Kemp was sentenced by Senior Justice Jon Isaacs yesterday to 17 years and eight months in prison for the December 13, 2010 attempted robbery of the Oakes Field branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

During the trial, which ended on July 19 when Kemp was convicted 8-1 by a nine member jury, it was claimed that on the date in question, he attempted to rob the restaurant while armed with a handgun. Kemp denied the charge against him and maintained his innocence.

Kemp initially was given 19 years for the crime. However, the judge took into consideration that Kemp had spent 20 months on remand in the lead up to the trial and subtracted the time from his actual sentence.

The judge said the sentence, 17 years and 8 months, would begin from the date of conviction.

The trial heard from a cashier that the armed gunman, wearing blue jeans and a multi-coloured sweater, leapt back over the counter and left the restaurant after he was unsuccessful in opening the two cash registers of the Oakes Field Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.

Also, Police Constable 3039 Jamal Johnson told the court that he and his colleague were on mobile patrol on Nassau Street before being alerted to the situation at KFC.

A foot chase began and Constable Johnson said he saw the suspect fall down before getting up and throwing a gun in the bushes.

Ambrose Armbrister prosecuted the case while Murrio Ducille defended Kemp. He was assisted by Ron Pinder and Nathan Smith.