KINGSTON, Jamaica – A man who used a ratchet knife to accost and rob a woman of her handbag was sentenced to nine months in prison after he told the magistrate that he robbed the complainant to send himself to school.

Mario Burgher, 22, a resident of Waterhouse, Kingston 11, pleaded guilty to the charge robbery with aggravation.

Reports are that the complainant was walking along Washington Boulevard when the accused pounced on her, placed a ratchet knife at her neck and threatened her. He reportedly grabbed her handbag and fled.

However, he was later stopped and search by police officers who were on patrol in the area.

The complainant walked towards where he had been stopped by the police officers and reportedly told them that he had robbed her.

She was taken to the Duhaney Park Police Station where she made a formal statement and Burgher arrested and charged.

When he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey asked Burgher why he should not be sent to jail for 18 months.

“School mi a try help miself fi go,” Burgher said.

“How many times you get in trouble before?” Pusey asked.

“First,” he replied.

“Everybody just a hold up people, convince mi why you shouldn’t go to jail for 18 months,” Pusey said prior to handing down the sentence.

He was subsequently sentenced to nine months and a fingerprint order made.

“Because you are a first offender,” Pusey added.

Racquel Porter