A Hamilton Parish man was jailed for seven years yesterday while an accomplice awaits sentencing after the pair pleaded guilty to armed robbery of the Grotto Bay Hotel.

Thirty-nine-year old Sidney O’Neil Gibbons was also sentenced to a further six months in custody for possession of a weapon – a machete – used in the April 22, 2003 robbery. The sentences are to run concurrently.

His accomplice, 22-year-old St. George’s resident Jahkevon Selassie Outerbridge, was bound over for a presentence report. He was ordered to reappear on September 1 for sentencing.

Five people were originally charged in the robbery, however on Tuesday the Crown withdrew charges against Ayana Chantal Outerbridge, Leigh Eugene Swan and Tariq Shakeen White, alleged to be the ringleaders of the crime.

Speaking after yesterday’s proceedings, Senior Crown Counsel Vinette Graham-Allen said the alleged ringleaders had been freed because the Crown’s witnesses refused to attend court, “even after process was issued”.

She added that while Crown reserved the right to comment on why the charges had been withdrawn, it was in “the interests of the administration of justice” to speak out when witnesses refused to cooperate with authorities:

“Instances like this do not help the adminstration of justice and as members of the public we all have responsibilities, not just the Police”, she said.

On the night of April 22, 2003, two armed robbers held up Ms Outerbridge, who was working at the East End hotel’s front desk.

The masked robbers, one armed with a machete and the other a knife, burst into the Hamilton Parish hotel at 11 p.m. They handed her a bag and told her to fill it with cash.

A third accomplice was waiting outside and all three escaped with $4,458 in cash.

On April 28, Outerbridge, Gibbons and White were arrested in connection with the robbery. About one month later, Ms Outerbridge was picked up. By November, a warrant had been issued for Swan’s arrest after he failed to show up for a court appearance.

Outerbridge and Gibbons could have faced 14 years imprisonment had Puisne Judge Charles-etta Simmons had handed down the maximum penalty.

Defence attorney Richard Horseman argued that his client, Outerbridge, was young and foolish. He said Outerbridge was not aware that he was getting involved in a serious crime.

Because of his age and naivet? Mrs. Justice Simmons ordered a presentence report.

Gibbons’ attorney Peter Farge argued his client did not plan the robbery and did not intend to harm anyone.

Mr. Farge also told the court that Gibbons was heavily addicted to heroin at the time of the crime.

Mrs. Justice Simmons sentenced Gibbons to seven years, with two years discounted for his cooperation with the authorities.

Gibbons was ordered to undergo treatment for his addiction to heroin during his incarceration.