Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Paul Giddens, age 33, of 12 Aeslin Drive, Spring Valley, NY, was sentenced to 14 years in state prison for his conviction on one count of robbery in the first degree, a class “B” felony, 10 years in state prison for his conviction on two counts of robbery in the second degree, class “C” felonies and a year in state prison on one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class “A” misdemeanor.

The sentences are to be served concurrently.

On June 26, 2012, Giddens and a co-defendant robbed the Pitstop Deli on South Central Avenue in the Village of Spring Valley.

During a three-day jury trial, several witnesses outlined the details of knifepoint robbery.

Deliberations lasted approximately ten minutes.

Additionally, the defendant was sentenced to seven years in state prison on an unrelated charge of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class “B” Felony. Giddens was convicted of selling cocaine to another individual. He will serve the drug sentence concurrent to the robbery term.

Supervising Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino and Senior Assistant District Attorney Janine Kovacs prosecuted the case.

(YWN Monsey Newsroom)