A man convicted of taking another man hostage, beating and robbing him as part of a gang attack has abandoned an appeal against his conviction.

Jahkeil Samuels, 24, was found guilty in March of robbery using force and assault causing bodily harm following an attack last year on cricket club manager Tareek Somner. During his Magistrates' Court trial, it was heard that Samuels and six other men approached Mr. Somner, 28, outside Bailey's Bay Cricket Club on April 25.

They stopped his car from leaving the parking lot, and jumped inside, begging for a ride to Hamilton. When Mr. Somner pulled over at Burchalls Cove and refused to drive further, the group kicked and beat him, stealing his wallet and BlackBerry.

Samuels, who was described as the ringleader of the group, was found guilty by Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo in March, but appealed the conviction before he could be sentenced.

In Supreme Court on Friday, attorney Charles Richardson, representing Samuels, said that his client no longer wanted to pursue the appeal. Mr. Richardson also said that, after speaking with Crown counsel Cindy Clarke, he felt that sentencing could take place as soon as Wednesday.

Samuels, who had been remanded in custody following his conviction, spoke only to confirm that he wanted to give up the appeal.

Chief Justice Richard Ground dismissed the appeal, ordering the matter to return to Magistrates' Court for sentencing on August 25 and for Samuels remain in custody until then.