A 24-year-old man who pleaded guilty to armed robbery and possession of an offensive weapon was sentenced to seven years in jail in the Supreme Court on Friday.

The court heard that Oshay Andre Swan robbed 71-year-old Norma Smith, a cook at Images Restaurant in the Warwick Workmen?s Club on November 7.

Before he was sentenced by Assistant Justice Archie Warner, Swan, who is addicted to crack cocaine, told the court that he was ?tired of being upset by his irrational decision to be a part of the negative activities on the Island?.

Crown Counsel Shade Subair told the court that Swan entered the restaurant that night to order fish and chips, paid for his food, and left.

He returned shortly after and placed another order and lunged across the counter and pulled Mrs. Smith backwards holding ?a long, dark handled knife against her neck?.

Mrs. Smith was pushed down to the floor as Swan made ?slicing, back and forth? motions with knife against her throat. Swan got away with $850 in US and Bermuda currency.

In a victim impact statement Mrs. Smith said she has suffered from the after effects of the robbery as she had her expensive prescription glasses broken, and suffered from stiffness and soreness of her limbs as a result of struggling to get away from her attacker.

On November 9 Smith was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery. Two days later after being positively identified in a police line-up he admitted to the offence.

Ms Subair said Swan should receive a six to eight year sentence as a knife was used in the robbery and the defendant had prior convictions. Defence lawyer Kae Thomas told the court the maximum ten year sentence for the offence should be reduced as Swan had fully co-operated with Police and had apologised to the complainant.

Mr. Warner ordered Swan to receive court ordered drug treatment while incarcerated.