Bookkeeper jailed for four years for nightclub robbery

May 04, 2012 2:40 PM

PHILIPSBURG - The Joint Court of Justice sentenced bookkeeper Ramona S. Lupu (33) to four years on appeal Thursday for involvement in the March 2011 armed robbery of Bada Bing nightclub in Simpson Bay.

In January, the Court of First Instance had sentenced the Romanian woman to 30 months, 10 of which were suspended, with three years' probation. Together with her

partner in crime, Jimmey D. Ramsahai (35), who was sentenced to 36 months, and whose appeal is still pending, she was also ordered to pay the nightclub owner equal shares of US $18,347 in damages.

The woman had appealed her sentence, because she maintained she was innocent, but the Court of Appeals found her guilty as charged. The three-judge panel maintained the payment of damages, but unanimously decided to impose a heavier penalty than requested by the Solicitor-General.

Solicitor-General Anton van der Schans had requested the Appeals Court to uphold the sentence that was meted out by the Court of First Instance.

In the robbery, Lupu and a security guard were held at gunpoint by a third suspect, Kenny Douglas (35), who was sentenced in absentia by the Court of First Instance to 30 months. He will also have to pay his share in payment of damages.

The Appeals Court agreed with the Prosecutor's Office opinion that the robbery was orchestrated by the three suspects, and could therefore by qualified as an inside job.

The hold-up occurred in the vicinity of Sister Regina Road, around 12:00 noon, when Lupu and the security guard were taking the proceeds of the Heineken Regatta weekend, consisting of $16,757, to a bank to be deposited.

"Suspect shamelessly violated her employer's trust in her in providing important information to her co-suspects, through which money could be stolen from her employer. For her own greed, she also sacrificed the safety of one of her co-workers, who was driving with her to guard the money," the Appeals Court stated in the verdict.

It was also held against Lupu that the security guard was wounded in the violent attack, which took place on the public road at midday. The Court also took into consideration that the bookkeeper, who was a first offender, had not shown any remorse.

The hearing in Ramsahai's case is scheduled for June 28.

(The Daiily Herald)