Appeal verdict set for African man jailed for robbing BD250

Judges are expected to hand down their verdict on 28 April in the appeal of an African man sentenced to three years in prison and deportation for robbing an Asian man of BD250 during what appeared to be a routine lift to a money exchange. 

The victim had accepted a ride from the accused, who was behind the wheel, along with another passenger whose identity remains unknown. But instead of stopping at the agreed destination, the driver turned behind a row of shops and brought the vehicle to a halt. The passenger stepped out. The driver then claimed he had come across a bundle of banknotes said to belong to the passenger, and told the victim to remain in the car and keep quiet until the man returned. 

When the victim asked to get out, the driver locked the door. A couple of minutes later, the passenger returned and sat back in his seat, claiming BD3,500 had gone missing. The driver kept silent and failed to mention the cash he had allegedly found. The victim stayed quiet, too, unsure of what was unfolding. The passenger searched the driver but found nothing, then turned to the man seated behind him. 

The driver then told the passenger the victim had taken the money. The passenger turned in his seat, clamped an arm across the victim’s chest and gripped his shoulder. He rummaged through his pockets, reached round to the back of his trousers, and pulled out his wallet. The victim tried to resist but was punched in the forehead. BD250 was removed from the wallet, which was then stuffed back into his pocket. 

The driver handed over the earlier stash of money. The passenger opened the door and shoved the victim out onto the street without returning the stolen cash. The two men then drove off.