Recent data from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reveals that aggravated robbery constituted the largest portion of serious non-sexual offences filed in the High Court last month. A total of eight indictments were recorded, encompassing 17 counts of non-sexual offences, with aggravated robbery making up nearly half of those, at seven counts.
The statistics highlight a troubling trend in street crime and violent property offences, which have been prominent among last month’s serious criminal cases. One notable incident involved two men, aged 44 and 28, who faced charges for five counts of aggravated robbery and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. These individuals allegedly targeted five victims who were attempting to escape from a vehicle that had gone off the road, stealing phones, clothing, and tools during the chaos.
Additionally, reports indicate a rise in both daytime and nighttime street muggings, with various personal belongings and cash being taken from unsuspecting victims. Across the 17 counts of non-sexual offences, 10 individuals were charged, including a juvenile who was implicated in aggravated robbery.
In total, the incidents involved 14 victims, highlighting the significant human impact behind these alarming statistics. While last month’s indictments also included charges of murder and serious assaults, aggravated robbery notably emerged as the predominant offence type before the High Court.
This trend signals an urgent need for community awareness and effective crime prevention strategies to safeguard residents against such acts of violence and theft.