By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who admitted to mugging a phone card vendor, asked a judge for a chance to turn his life around before a five-year sentence was handed down to him.

Sidney Ospin, moments after being convicted by the jury upon Justice Vera Watkins’ direction, asked the court for forgiveness for his initial not guilty plea prior to the commencement of his trial.

“I’m very sorry,” he said, adding: “I’d like to ask if you could forgive me for lying and pleading not guilty.”

He asked the court for an opportunity to, after rehabilitation, to show to society and his family that “crime doesn’t pay.”

Justice Watkins noted his plea and that he seemed to be intelligent and was capable of rehabilitation. However, the judge also told him that “armed robbery is a serious offence.”

“I can’t just pat you on the back, send you home and that is it,” she added.

He was sentenced to five years at Her Majesty’s Prison, though that was reduced because he had already spent a year and seven months in prison on remand.

Ospin, 20, of Carmichael Road faced an armed robbery charge, which he initially denied at the opening of trial on June 3.

It was claimed that he, on August 24, 2011, while armed with a firearm, robbed Gilbert Cineus of $465 worth of phone cards and $900 cash.

Trial began on June 3 when evidence was taken from witnesses, including the complainant who said that he was held up by the accused at Island Drive, which spot he had sold from since he was a child.

He said that four days after the robbery, he saw Ospin on a bus and the accused waved him “goodbye.”

In yesterday’s proceedings, private discussions took place between the judge and counsel in the absence of the jury before the jury was called back to the court room.

Ospin had the charge re-read to him before he pleaded guilty and the jury were directed by Justice Watkins to return a unanimous guilty verdict.

Following this, Ospin’s attorney, Terrell Butler, made a plea in mitigation on his behalf.

The lawyer said that her client had indicated early on in the trial that he wished to take the course of action that he did.

“He is remorseful and he can be rehabilitated,” the lawyer said, adding that Ospin was only 18 years old when the incident occurred.

“If you give him a second chance, he can change his life,” Butler said, before Ospin was given the chance to address the judge.

Ospin apologised to the court for lying and for doing what he did, asking the court for forgiveness and an opportunity to right his wrongs if allowed back into society.

Justice Watkins asked the 20 year old if he had completed high school. He said he had not because of substance abuse.

“The road that I been on is not the one I want to be on,” he added.

“You seem to be an intelligent young man. I hope you’re serious about turning your life around,” Justice Watkins told the youth.

The judge noted her consideration of the mitigating plea and Ospin’s remorse for the offence. She added that there was a possibility for rehabilitation, moreso because of his age.

“I’ve also considered the fact that the complainant was approached and held up by you with a firearm,” the judge said.

“I appreciate the fact that you didn’t discharge the weapon. There’s that possibility that it could’ve been used and turned out fatally,” Justice Watkins added.

The judge informed him that “armed robbery is a serious offence.”

“I can’t just pat you on the back, send you home and that is it,” she said.

He was sentenced to five years at Her Majesty’s Prison, though that was reduced because of having already spent a year and seven months on remand.

In addition to the sentence, the judge warned: “If I see you before this court again, I’m going to throw everything at you, do you understand?”

Ospin said he did and would attempt to show the court and society that he could “be someone in life.”

Roger Thompson and Koschina Marshall prosecuted the case.