Tenant given probation for pointing knife at landlord

A 35-year-old man who pointed a knife at his landlord during an argument was today given probation.

Dimetri Robinson of Warwick appeared in court earlier this year after he got into argument with his landlord, Edwin Kent Lee, at 1pm on January 6 after Mr Lee questioned him about his missing PlayStation.

Robinson and his wife rent a room in Mr Lee’s home.

At that hearing, the court heard Robinson told Mr Lee the PlayStation was in the downstairs apartment. An argument began between the two and it got so heated that police were called.

When police arrived, the PlayStation was returned.

Later that day, Mr Lee and Robinson got into another argument. Mr Lee told Robinson to get out of his house.

The court heard Robinson became “enraged” and went into his room and came out with a knife. He began pointing the knife at Mr Lee and said: “I ain’t going nowhere”.

Mr Lee left the home and went to a neighbour’s home where he called the police.

When police arrived, Robinson was seen sitting on a wall near the property. He took the knife out of his pants and dropped it behind the wall.

Police arrested him and the knife was seized. During an interview, Robinson admitted having the knife in a public place and behaving in a threatening manner towards Mr Lee.

Addressing the court before sentencing, Robinson said: “I’m sorry for having that knife but I love my wife and I was trying to protect her. I had no intention of using that machete.”

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner sentenced Robinson to 24 months probation with conditions including an alcohol assessment set out in the presentencing reports.

Mr Warner said: ‘God helps those who help themselves. In this case, you must help the Department of Court Services.

“They will carry out all the necessary assessments with regard to drug and alcohol treatment.”

In October 2012, Robinson was jailed for 30 days for threatening then OBA-candidate now MP Jeff Sousa and throwing bottles at him.