"Pay $5,000 now or go to jail," ordered San Fernando magistrate Siumongal Ramsaran as he fined electrician Kwame Williams for marijuana possession. Ramsaran said it was clear that Williams did not learn his lesson since he was arrested just after his two-year bond for a similar offence expired in?February. He was placed on the bond in 2010 after he was caught with the illegal drug. The magistrate ordered him to pay the fine immediately or serve nine months hard labour after the 22-year-old Pleasantville man pleaded to the charge.
Court Prosecutor Sgt Gordon Maharaj said around 8.30 pm, Williams was stopped by a policeman while walking along Flambouyant Crescent, Pleasantville. When searched by the officer, two clear packets containing three grammes of marijuana were found in his pants pocket. Williams told the officer, "Boss, ah forget ah have that."
His attorney Annalee Girwar said apart from doing electrical work, he was also pursuing an electrical course with Civilian Conservation ?Corps, an air-conditioning course at YTEPP, and math and human and social biology at Pleasantville Senior Secondary School. The magistrate quipped: "He's doing biology and he did not learn that drugs in your system is not good for you?" The attorney asked for a non-custodial sentence, saying that Williams was trying to better himself. He was ordered to pay the $5,000 fine forthwith or in default nine months' hard labour.
