CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - A sum of $10 050 in fines was handed down yesterday (Feb. 16) at District ‘C’ Magistrate Court, Nevis to persons convicted of the charges brought against them.
Appearing before presiding Magistrate Yasmine Clarke, six males and two females answered to charges from “possession of offensive weapon”, “possession of cannabis”, “disorderly conduct”, “driving without insurance “ and “driving without valid drivers liscence”.
A juvenile from Butlers Village and Reneecia Arthurton of Jessups both appeared to answer charges of disorderly conduct, an offence which occurred on November 11, 2009. Grant pleaded guilty while Arthurton pleaded not guilty.
In his testimony, Constable Caines told the court that at about 5:15 p.m. on the day in question, he was on duty at the Charlestown Police Station and when he looked outside he noticed what appeared to be a fight. The officer added that he left the Station along with another officer and, on arrival at the scene, he witness both defendants holding on to each other and throwing hands. Caines added that he managed to separate the two women and took them to the Station where they were charged for the offence.
In her defence, Arthurton, who was represented by Geoffery Romany, said that she did not know the juvenile and while walking towards Charlestown from Best Buy, the teenager refused to give her space to past. Arthurton added that the teenager took her elbow and brushed her and she retaliated by pushing her. Despite Arthurton’s not guilty plea, Magistrate Clarke convicted and fined both ladies $500 each to be paid in one month. Failure to do so will result in them serving one month in prison.
Curlis Liburd of Bath Village pleaded guilty to a January 14, 2010 offence of possession of cannabis. He was fined $1 500 to be paid in six months or spend six months in prison. And Callis Archibald of Stoney Grove pleaded guilty to a similar charge and was fined $2 500. He also has six months to pay the fine or spend six months at her Majesty’s Prison for the February 15, 2010 offence.
Calvin Selkrige of Low Street, before making his plea for possession of cannabis, said, “This is the only thing I use and if you charge me I gon pay it and continue to use it; so am guilty.” Before passing judgment, Magistrate Clarke said, “I noticed you said that you will continue, but that means you will have to put aside your money for when the police catch you”. She ordered that he pay $1 000 in six months or be imprisoned for three months.
Raffle Wallace of New Castle village was fined $350 to be paid in one month, or, if in default, spend one month in prison, after he pleaded guilty for possession of an offensive weapon (a knife) on January 22, 2010. On that same day, Collin Monroe of Prospect was searched by the police and an offensive weapon and cannabis were found in his possession. He pleaded guilty and was fined $300 on the first offence, to be paid in one month or spend one month in prison, and $1 000 for the cannabis possession, which is to be paid in three months or he will have to spend three months in prison.
Grefory Bradshaw of Parsons Village, St. Kitts has two months to pay $800 for possession of cannabis or spend two months in prison if he fails to pay the fee.
Despite his not guilty plea, Magistrate Clarke found him guilty of the offence, which was committed in the vicinity of the Sea Bridge on January 15, 2010.
In his testimony, Corporal Bradshaw said that while driving a police vehicle, he noticed the defendant putting his right hand in his pocket and dropping a white plastic bag on the ground. The Corporal said that he shouted to the officer who was also in the vehicle that the defendant had dropped something.
Bradshaw added that he stopped the vehicle and walked to the area where he had seen Bradshaw dropped the said white plastic bag. He took it up and, on examination, found cannabis within. The officer then took the defendant and the item to the Charlestwon Police Station, where he was later charged for the offence.
Gregory Bradshaw, in his defence, said that the officer did not see him do anything, “A next officer searched me and did not find nothing.”
