A 25-year-old who served as a driver in an armed robbery that left a man with a gunshot wound to his chest was yesterday sentenced to more than six years behind bars.

Daneko Cann-Hayward, from Warwick, pleaded guilty this year to a single count of robbery for the 2020 incident, but said he had no knowledge that one of his compatriots had a firearm.

Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe said he accepted Cann-Hayward’s words of remorse, but that his comments highlighted a troubling challenge facing the island’s young men.

“He said that sometimes taking the easy road is not always possible — I think he is saying that sometimes one finds themselves in a difficult situation that they cannot get out of, possibly because of their circumstances or because others will do them harm,” Mr Justice Wolffe said.

“We as a community must change that narrative. I know that it is a complex problem, but until we present positive alternatives for our young men, they will continue to engage in negative conduct.

“The deeper they go, the harder it will be for them to dig themselves out.”

He sentenced Cann-Hayward to 6½ years in prison, with time already served taken into account.

The court heard that on the afternoon of May 8, 2020, the victim had gone to The Hub on Middle Road in Warwick with his young son.

Matthew Frick, for the Crown, said that Cann-Hayward then arrived at the store driving a car with two passengers, who both got out of the vehicle and approached the victim.

“Cann-Hayward reversed the vehicle and waited, opening the two passenger doors,” he said. “The two suspects approached the victim and then snatched two gold chains from his neck.

“The victim — who had a knife in his possession at the time — attempted to stab one of the suspects, whom he recognised. The victim and the same suspect, while scuffling, moved to the rear of The Hub where Cann-Hayward was waiting for the two suspects.”

As the victim continued to struggle with one of the suspects, the second suspect pulled a handgun from a small bag and opened fire, shooting three times.

“One of the discharged bullets struck the victim in the left chest area, causing him to fall to the ground,” Mr Frick continued. “The victim got up and ran back to the front of The Hub, where he laid down.”

While one of the suspects fled on foot, the one with the firearm ran back to the car, and Cann-Hayward drove on to Middle Road and then St Mary’s Road.

The victim was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment to his injury.

Mr Frick said that given Cann-Hayward’s guilty plea and role in the robbery, a sentence of 6½ years would be appropriate.

Charles Richardson, counsel for Cann-Hayward, said he would not object to the sentence recommended by the Crown, but urged the court to factor in the seven months he has already spent behind bars.

Mr Richardson noted that his client had maintained he had no idea that one of the others involved in the robbery had a firearm.

Cann-Hayward told the court: “I never had any intention of anyone being injured at all. I do take responsibility for my actions. I knew they were wrong. This is nothing like what I intended for myself.”

He added: “Sometimes it may feel like you cannot take the easy road. That there isn’t one at all. It doesn’t mean you should allow that to push you in the wrong direction.”

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