‘Frustrated’ chain snatcher gets 3 months jail

A teary-eyed 23-year-old man who told the court he decided to snatch a woman’s gold chain because he was frustrated, was on Wednesday sentenced to three months behind bars.

Miguel Blackman of Red Road Sophia, Greater Georgetown pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on May 15, 2021, at Water Street, Georgetown, he stole one gold chain valued at $60,000, from Trevannah Haywood.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Facts presented by the court prosecutor stated that the woman was walking through the Stabroek Market when Blackman approached her and snatched her chain.

Haywood gave chase behind Blackman who then fell onto the ground. Soon after, public-spirited persons apprehended the chain snatcher and took him to the Stabroek Police Outpost.

Blackman told the court “I had a rough life growing up and no one by my side.”

He stated that on the day in question, a man whom he borrowed $30,000 from came and asked him for the money.

As a result, Blackman said he became frustrated and snatched the gold necklace. He then turned to Haywood in court and told her that he was sorry and that he misses his children.

The Chief Magistrate, before handing down the sentence, told Blackman that nothing comes easy and advised him to borrow money from the bank or an institution.

She reprimanded him for stealing.