Teen admits street robbery and theft

(CNS): A teenager pleaded guilty on Friday to robbery as well as theft and attempted theft when he appeared in Grand Court. Garfield Silburn Jr admitted to the robbery of a woman on Dr Roy’s Drive on 23 March this year, when he stole the women’s handbag in a daylight mugging. Silburn also confessed to stealing the bicycle he was riding when he mugged his victim. The bicycle was said to be stolen from the vicinity of the Brasserie Restaurant and had an estimated value of CI$250. In addition, he pleaded guilty to attempted theft in connection with an incident in Newport Avenue less than two weeks later on 4 April, when another woman was pulled to the ground as he tried to steal her handbag.

Silburn had originally been charged with attempted robbery in connection with that failed mugging but the crown accepted his revised plea to attempted theft. According to a police report regarding the incident, the woman had clung on to her bag as the robber attempted to pull it from her grasp, as he rode his bicycle along the road dragging her with him. However, when a car came by Silburn fled leaving the bike behind. The woman was treated at the George Town hospital for cuts and bruising to her legs and body.

Silburn, who is represented by John Furniss, was remanded in custody to HMP Northward and the teenager is expected to be sentenced on 19 July.