30-year robbery sentence slashed
May 23, 2006
A MAN who in broad daylight robbed a taxi driver of his money and cellular phone was successful yesterday in having a 50 per cent reduction in his 30-year prison sentence.
Lehman Francis, also called 'Irie Ghost', sound system operator, of Parry Town, St. Ann, was unrepresented at the hearing in the Court of Appeal.
He had appealed against his convictions for illegal possession of firearm and robbery with aggravation.
Justice Donald McIntosh convicted Francis in December 2003 in the Gun Court division of the St. Ann Circuit Court.
The complainant testified that about 9.30 a.m. on July 27, 2003, he was in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, when Francis, whom he had known for about five years, chartered his taxi to go to Bucksfield, St. Ann. Francis was in the company of another man.
When they reached Bucksfield, Francis, who was sitting in the back seat, held him by the neck and pointed a gun at him. The other man, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, pointed a knife at him. They robbed him of his cellular phone and $2,500.
A report was made to the police and Francis was held in September 2003. Francis admitted to nine previous convictions after he was convicted.
Author: Barbara Gayle
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
