A man who stole a ring from a Cup Match concert fan who was later stabbed has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for aggravated robbery.

David Jahwell Cox, 21, of Gables Lane, Devonshire, was sentenced in Supreme Court on Monday after being convicted of robbing Aaron Kenneth Hooper at a Playboy concert during the first night of Cup Match in July, 1999.

Mr. Hooper and some of his friends were surrounded by Cox and four or five others, including Marcus Shawn Bean, 21, of Curving Avenue, Pembroke, and a struggle ensued during which Cox removed a ring from Mr. Hooper's finger.

Mr. Hooper escaped through the crowd but was chased, and stabbed in the stomach. He had to be taken to the King Edward Memorial Hospital, where he received surgery.

Cox was originally charged with both robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, however he was not tried for the second charge after his friend Marcus Bean pleaded guilty to the stabbing.

Cox pleaded not guilty to the robbery and was tried and convicted by a jury in front of Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller. He was represented by lawyer Larry Mussenden.

Crown counsel Charmaine Smith asked for a sentence ranging between four and six years. She cited similar cases where defendants had been sentenced to six and nine years of custody. The maximum sentence for this offence is fourteen years.

At the sentencing Judith Knight, the mother of Cox's girlfriend, Samantha Knight, spoke on Cox's behalf.

She told the court that Cox "has not had a youth'', that he had grown up with no guidance or direction, and had to play a father role to his three younger brothers.

Mr. Mussenden added that the court had to draw a line between the two offences, adding that Cox was not charged with stabbing Mr. Hooper.

He also commented on the idea of the group mentality, suggesting: "People do things in a group that they would never do alone.'' Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller added: "It is stupid, it never would have happened if they hadn't been in a group, and that boy (Hooper) nearly lost his life.'' Mr. Mussenden asked the court to consider a sentence of two to three years.

Before sentencing, Cox said: "I would like to apologise for wasting the court's time. I would like to apologise to the victim, to my family, to my mother for not being a good role model for my brothers.

"The crime that I done was wrong.'' Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller took into account Cox's remorse before sentencing him to three-and-a-half years, with time already served in custody to be taken into account.

Bean's sentencing for the stabbing of Aaron Hooper took place alongside Cox's.

Ms. Smith suggested a range of five to eight years of custody for the judge to consider. The maximum sentence for unlawful wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm is ten years.

Bean's lawyer, Elizabeth Christopher, suggested a sentence of two years or less, citing Bean's psychological state of mind as a reason.

An assessment of Bean's IQ (intelligence quotient) was called for, and the sentencing was adjourned until that assessment could be completed.