KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former Parliamentarian and publisher Lloyd B Smith was robbed at knife point in Kingston Wednesday afternoon.

The incident took place shortly after 3:00 pm at the Tropical Plaza in Kingston as the former Member of Parliament (MP) for St James Central was about to enter a Digicel store.

The two thugs, who approached Smith from behind, reportedly held a knife to his throat and demanded that he handed over his gold chain, bracelet and ring which he was wearing.

The Western Mirror publisher said he put up a strong defence while at the same time shouting for help. “But, strangely enough, people just stood and watched and up to that point, there was no security guard, even to come to my rescue. And this happened just outside the store.”

“By this time they pulled off my chain, they began to tear off my clothes and by this time a security guard who was in the Digicel store came outside, saw what was happening, he said he went into his waist for whatever he had there and the thugs saw when he did that and ran,” explained Smith.

Smith said a passer-by later told him that they saw when the thugs attempted to stab him in the head.

Smith said it was a horrible experience for him.

“It was a horrible experience. I don’t even want to think about it. It wasn’t nice, I can tell you. Because they had the knife at my throat. They were shouting at me to give them what they want.

They were abusing me. It was horrible. I have never had an experience like this in my entire life. It is the worst experience I have ever had in my own country,” Smith told the OBSERVER ONLINE.

Anthony Lewis