March 29th 2011 - President of Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICA) Gregory Shillingford said the regional body will withhold passing judgment on Nevisian and regional cricketer, Tonito Willett, who is facing drug related charges in the Trinidad courts.

 
Shillingford, during an interview with OBSERVER Sports, said the youngster must first be given his day in court before LICA can impose sanctions, if any, which could have adverse effects on the player’s career. “Tonito needs to be allowed to have his day in court and the court will decide whether further action or no actions will be taken against him (and) we will take our lead from the court.

That is our position as of now and when the court case is completed in Trinidad, then we will be guided how we proceed any further (if needed) on this issue,” he said.
 

Gregory said, however, LICA has always advocated against the use of illegal substances amongst players.  “On the issue of substance abuse, it is a readily known position within the Leeward Islands that we do not support our players, our kids, with being involved in substance abuse and the Leeward Islands in particular has co-operated with the Nevis Cricket Association on education with staying away from drugs and also for healthy living so we are pro-active in that regard,” he said.

 
The WICB member, however, could not comment on the facts surrounding the events which lead to the cricketer’s arrest in Trinidad where, according to Manager of the Leeward Islands team, Percy Daniels, Willett had broken curfew on the night in question.
 

According to Shillingford, he is yet to receive a report from Daniels on the issue. Willett, along with fellow Nevisian, Runako Morton who now plays for Trinidad, were arrested and charged for possession of marijuana earlier this month. The two were competing against each other in the regional four-day cricket competition being put on by the WICB. Both cricketers have since pleaded not guilty to the charge and have been released on $16,600 bail each.