Aggravated robbery is the worst and most severe form of property crime in this jurisdiction, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

The statement was made by Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe while sentencing Aliki Kaikoso and Timoci Soro for the offences of aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery.

Kaikoso was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 years while Soro was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of nine years.

The two men with two others, had robbed Nitya Singh on the morning of October 27, 2018.

The two men then had gone to the Mad Hatter Coffee Shop and tried to rob a woman when she was having her birthday breakfast with her parents. Having failed to execute the planned crime at the Mad Hatter Coffee Shop, the two men had then gone to town and robbed Farida Fleming when she was walking towards the town from Holiday Inn.

Justice Rajasinghe said this was a case of spate of robberies committed within a few hours targeting the civilians who were at public places.

“Given the seriousness of these offences, it is the opinion of the court that such offenders must be dealt with severe and harsh punishment.

“Therefore, the purpose of this sentence is founded on the principle of deterrence and protection of the community,” Justice Rajasinghe said.

The court heard that by the nature of the service provided by the taxi, most taxi drivers were vulnerable to violent robberies.

“The two men have manipulatively used the vulnerability of Mr Singh in order to commit the crime.

“They have tried to take Mr Singh to a location where he could not find any help or assistance. The two men with others punched and then dragged Mr Singh out of the taxi and kicked him.

“This horrendous experience will haunt Mr Singh for the rest of his life,” Justice Rajasinghe said.

He highlighted that the taxi service provided a valuable public service to the general public and was one of the most used and convenient mode of transportation for the general public.

Justice Rajasinghe said that such violent attacks on taxi drivers undoubtedly affected the public.

He said the Mad Hatter Coffee Shop was open to the public to go and enjoy their food and time and such places were essential parts of the society.

“Coffee shops and eateries must be opened and easily accessible to the public. Such robberies would affect the business of such places,” Justice Rajasinghe said.

Having considered the remand custody for the case of both men, the actual sentence period to serve by Kaikoso is 11 years and eight months with a non-parole period of eight years and eight months.

Soro was ordered to serve the actual sentence period of 11 years and one month with a non-parole period of eight years and one month.

Both men were given 30 days to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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