By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was spared a lengthy prison sentence by a judge yesterday after admitting to an attempted gunpoint carjacking.
Kirby Jean Pierre, 22, initially appeared before Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs for a bail hearing seeking to be released from custody ahead of his January 2017 trial in connection with the attempted armed robbery of Paulette Knowles on April 28 this year.
He previously denied the allegation when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court in June.
Jean Pierre’s plea change yesterday came after prosecutor Kendra Kelly objected to his bail application on the basis that the accused had been allegedly caught red-handed and pinned down by a relative of the victim until police arrived and arrested him.
“I’d like to change my plea,” Jean Pierre said when called on by the judge to respond to the submision. The charge and particulars were read and he answered “guilty”.
Ms Kelly said that the Crown “appreciates the applicant’s plea given that his trial is not scheduled until January 16, 2017”.
“He is charged with attempted armed robbery, which carries the same penalty as armed robbery and he was armed with a firearm,” the prosecutor noted. “The maximum penalty that could be given in this case is life imprisonment.
“But he has pleaded guilty at a very early stage and as a result, the Crown would seek between ten years to 15 years, bearing in mind this is not his first conviction for this type of offence. He’s been convicted of stealing before,” the prosecutor added.
The judge told the accused: “Whether it’s an imitation firearm or a real firearm, the charge is a serious offence.”
“The items stolen in 2012 for his stealing conviction was a like item (a car) in this matter,” the prosecutor noted.
The judge asked the convict if he wished to say anything and he asked the court for “mercy”.
“I got a lil’ girl, she’s only four,” Jean Pierre added.
“You appreciate that if you are released and you come back to court again for the same offence the sentence could be much more severe?” the judge asked the convict.
“This will be the last time, your honour,” Jean Pierre said.
“You’re sure?” the judge asked.
Jean Pierre replied: “Yes, sir.”
“I’ll take you at your word,” the judge said. “Mr Pierre, I’m giving you credit for pleading guilty well ahead of your trial. And considering the circumstances of the case, there’s no indication that anyone was hurt in the incident. I’m going to sentence you to two years imprisonment from today’s date. I will further deduct the four months from the sentence for the time spent on remand. And, of course, it is up to the prison authorities whether you are released earlier for good behaviour.”
Jean Pierre thanked the judge before police took him from court.
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