Siparia man jailed for bar robberies

ONE of three men who robbed a 21-year-old Chinese owner and a customer on Friday at a restaurant and bar will spend Christmas in jail.

Shane Baksh, 29, was sentenced to 48 months in jail on Tuesday when he appeared before Siparia magistrate Margaret Alert. Baksh pleaded guilty to three charges – two counts of robbery and the malicious damage to a door at the bar at DeGannes Village, Siparia.

The magistrate fined him $1,500 for damaging the door or in default, Baksh will serve six months' hard labour in jail. He lives at Well Road, Siparia.

David Boodramsingh, one of the victims, allegedly robbed the same owner of $5,000 after Baksh and his two accomplices left.

Standing before the magistrate on Tuesday, Boodramsingh, 32, told the court he was pleading "guilty with a cause." The magistrate entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf and granted him bail. She adjourned the case to January 14.

At about 11 am on Friday gunmen from a Tiida car went inside and robbed the female bar owner of $12,000 and two cash registers together valued at $1,500. The gunmen also robbed the customer of his car keys, cash and a cell phone. At the time the robbery victim, who is now also accused, was playing roulette. It is alleged that when the bandits left, he put the money in his pockets and left.

Sgt Jaggernauth, Cpl Ramlal and Moolchan, arrested him nearby and got back the $5,000. They also arrested Baksh the same day.

PC Moolchan laid the charges.