An 18-year-old Jamaican national is now facing deportation from Barbados, after admitting to a robbery that kept him on remand in that country for five months.
Jahuan Jason Haniff, who gave no fixed address, appeared before the Number Two District “A” Magistrates’ Court, where he asked for the charge to be re-read before pleading guilty.
He’d initially denied robbing Carlos Edwards of a wallet, a CIBC debit card, and $40 in cash back on June 28 last year.
Sergeant Kenmore Phillips told the court Edwards was walking along Hope’s Alley in the capital Bridgetown that evening when he felt a sharp pain near his neck and shoulder before stumbling forward as someone went through his pockets.
His wallet was taken, and the attacker fled.
Edwards reported the matter to the police.
Six days later, officers spotted Haniff walking along Pinfold Street.
A search turned up Edwards’ ATM card. Haniff was arrested, taken to Central Police Station — and there, he gave a statement, led officers back to the scene, and admitted to the crime.
Acting Magistrate Shakieda Sealy sentenced Haniff to time served.
When the magistrate confirmed that Haniff had not begun the process to regularising his immigration status in the country, he was handed over to the Barbadian Immigration authorities to be sent back to Jamaica.