9 Sep 2008

Obsessed racing robber sent to prison

10:00 am on 9 September 2008

A man who robbed security guards of up to $190,000 to finance a motor racing career has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

Jayant George Singh, 29, appeared in Wellington District Court before Judge Denys Barry on Monday.

He pleaded guilty in August to two charges of aggravated robbery and one of aggravated burglary.

The charges related to the armed robbery of security guards in 2006 at two locations in Wellington and a failed burglary in 2003.

Singh had been been financing a racing car career with the proceeds from the robberies.

Judge Barry described Singh's offending as abhorent and born from an obsession with motor racing.

He accepted Singh's remorse, but said a minimum period of three years in prison must be served before he is eligible for parole.