Westgate after being sentenced yesterday for robbing a man at knife point.

Robert Daman Greene stood impassively in the prisoners box as Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux -- saying the interest of society was his overwhelming concern -- handed down his decision.

Greene had earlier pleaded guilty to a March 1996 incident when he and an accomplice flagged down a motorcyclist in Somerset. After talking with him for a few minutes Greene put him in a headlock and robbed him at knife point of $150.

Court was told Greene wanted the money to buy drugs and the robbery was a spur-of-the-moment act.

In her sentencing submission Crown Counsel Charlene Scott told Mr. Justice Meerabux the defendant -- who was tried as an adult in Supreme Court -- has a lengthy record as a young offender dating back to 1991.

He was previously charged for offensive behaviour, assaulting Police officers, violently resisting arrest, and offensive behaviour.

The Crown asked for a jail term of no less than three years.

Defence counsel Mark Pettingill asked the court to take into account Greene's age and the fact that he cooperated with Police and pleaded guilty to the charge.

In his submission, Mr. Pettingill told the court he was willing to personally work with Greene -- whom he described as a tragic yet "salvagable'' young man -- to help him get his life back on track.

"I strongly believe, after getting to know this young man and his background, that he is intelligent, articulate and has the ability to feel real emotion and be a gentler human being.

"He can be helped,'' said Mr. Pettingill. "More importantly he can help himself.'' Mr. Pettingill suggested that Green needed a "short shock'' treatment of incarceration, suggesting a period of one year in jail with treatment.

While sympathetic to Mr. Pettingill's "novel concept'' Mr. Justice Meerabux said the violent nature of Greene's offence was too serious to ignore and was punishable for up to 14 years in jail.

He sentenced Greene to two years and nine months with time spent in custody taken into account.