A 28-year-old Chaguanas man was yesterday sentenced to six years in prison after confessing to a string of robberies at a restaurant and nightclub in Port-of-Spain over the past three years.
Deodath Ramjit, of Longdenville, was given the sentence after pleading guilty to two larceny charges related to break-ins at the 51 Degrees nightclub and Town Restaurant in March 2013 and July last year.
Ramjit was arrested by police last Thursday morning after allegedly staging his latest break-in at the businesses at the same property, Cipriani Boulevard, Port-of-Spain.
He faced two charges related to that incident but was not allowed to enter pleas as the charges were laid indictably.
Given an opportunity by Magistrate Cheron Raphael to make submissions before being sentenced, Ramjit, a cocaine addict, apologised for his actions.
“I am very remorseful for what I have done. I am trying to change my life around and in order to follow Christ you have to be honest,” Ramjit said.
Raphael said: “So how long now you have found Christ?”
“Just a couple of days ago,” Ramjit, a father of two, admitted.
In sentencing Ramjit, Raphael noted that even with his early guilty plea, he would have to be given a prison sentence as he had been convicted of similar offences in the past.
“You must deal with the consequences of your actions. This court must send a strong message to those who wish to engage in such conduct,” Raphael said.
According to the evidence read after his guilty plea, Ramjit stole a television from the restaurant on March 19, 2013 and stole $12,575.87 in alcohol, cigarettes and a Ipad during a raid on the nightclub last July.
He reportedly admitted to his previous crimes while being interrogated for his latest break-in, for which he was allegedly caught red-handed.
He was given a six-year sentence for last year’s burglary and a four-year sentence for stealing the television almost three years ago. The sentences are to run concurrently.
In relation to the latest incident, during which he was allegedly found hiding in a ventilation duct after police released tear gas cannisters into both businesses, Ramjit is accused of stealing 43 packets of cigarettes from the nightclub and 468 bottles of assorted alcohol, valued at almost $100,000, from the restaurant. He will reappear in court to answer those charges on March 1.