to two years in prison for robbing an acquaintance of $30.

Puisne Judge Mr. Justice Ground was speaking as he passed sentence on Keeman Grant, 25, of Between-the-Walls Road, Sandys Parish.

The Supreme Court heard that Grant -- who had just been released from prison for a stabbing offence -- punched his victim twice in the face and held a knife at his throat.

Mr. Justice Ground told Grant: "You have a history of using weapons and carrying weapons.

"This sort of thing often escalates and people go to prison for longer and longer. That person will be you as long as you carry a knife.'' Grant, who pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery, grabbed the $30 from Orville Nisbitt on Broom Street, Sandys, on September 8.

Grant further admitted a string of previous convictions stretching back to 1986 and including jail sentences for violence, including rape, assault and possession of weapons.

Crown Counsel Mr. Peter DeJulio told the court that Mr. Nisbitt, who knew the defendant, thought the cash snatch was a joke and tried to get his money back.

But Mr. DeJulio said: "The accused punched him two times in the face and told him to leave the area. He then pulled a knife and placed it at the complainant's throat.'' Mr. DeJulio added that Mr. Nisbett was not injured with the knife, although his jaw needed treatment and he still has difficulty chewing.

He also produced a copy of the recent Court of Appeal judgment which recommended stiffer sentences for mugging offences.

But Mr. Mark Pettingill, representing Grant, said his client's offence was different from the case the Court of Appeal dealt with.

He said: "The two men were known to one another -- the only issue I would raise is that this really occurred out of a debt owed to Mr. Grant. It was an inappropriate way to collect money owed to him.

"But in some small way it tends to ameliorate the issue of street mugging the Court of Appeal was concerned with in the sense that it was not a case of Mr.

Grant jumping out of an alley at someone who was not known to him.'' Mr. Pettingill added that his client had admitted the offence and his criminal record, although long, was not as serious as Caisey's and that he was a younger man than the defendant in that case.

"Mr. Grant hasn't had it easy and he hasn't made it particularly easy on himself,'' admitted Mr. Pettingill.

He added Grant had a supportive family who were trying to keep him out of trouble and the defendant had the prospect of learning a trade through a family connection when he was released from prison.

Mr. Pettingill said: "That is the key issue with young men who are tending towards repeated criminal activity.'' Mr. Justice Ground told Grant: "What makes your case serious and of concern is that you pulled a knife.'' He said he would have imposed a three to four year sentence, but for Mr.

Pettingill's pleas in mitigation.

But he added: "I will impose a two year sentence. I know it's still serious for you but you have to learn that if you keep doing this kind of thing you will keep going to prison.''