BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE courts seem to be cracking down on incidences of driving under the influence (DUI), and this is evidenced by several recent convictions and suspension of driver’s licences.
The Traffic Court has had three sittings this month, during which in excess of 20 persons were convicted of various traffic offences.
Of those however, four appeared having been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and were convicted and penalised accordingly.
Suresh Sundar of West Street, Basseterre appeared before the court on two counts of “driving without due care and attention”, one of “failure to stop at the scene of an accident” and one of “driving under the influence”.
All offences were committed on August 20, 2011 and presiding Magistrate Her Worship Josephine Mallalieu-Webbe found him guilty of all counts.
On the first two, he was fined $500 each, to be paid within one month or serve a default sentence of one month at Her Majesty’s Prison. On the third charge, he was fined $250 to be paid within one month or one month in prison.
On the DUI, Sundar was fined $1 000 which is to be paid within one month or one month imprisonment. Also on that charge, Her Worship disqualified him from holding a driver’s licence for a 12-month period.
College Street resident Vishusal Kumar – who was convicted of a DUI offence – was fined $1 000 to be paid forthwith or serve one month at Her Majesty’s Prison. As for his driver’s licence…it was suspended for three months. The offences were committed on February 5, 2012.
Keys Village resident Aaron Sutton stood before the court on charges of driving without due care and attention and driving under the influence. He was cautioned on the first and, in addition to being fined $1 000 on the second, his driver’s licence was suspended for one month.
Disqualified from driving for 12 months was Vincent Harley. The Conaree resident was convicted of driving without due care and attention and driving under the influence.
Her Worship Mallalieu-Webbe cautioned him on the first count but fined him $1 000 on the second, in addition to disqualifying him from holding a driver’s licence.
The law – SKNVibes understands – gives the magistrate the authority to, upon conviction, impose a fine, custodial sentence or both.
The Traffic Department has indicated that for 2012 it would be making its presence felt more on the Federation’s road networks in its quest to promote safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
