A partygoer who was caught driving under the influence of alcohol following a Carnival fete has been disqualified from driving for three years and slapped with an $11,000 fine.
Pradeep Ramkissoon, 29, was among three drivers who appeared before San Fernando Traffic Court magistrate Anslem Leander and were disqualified from driving.
Ramkissoon was returning home on Saturday after Xperience Cooler Fete at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.
Court prosecutor Sgt Harold Ishmael said around 1.45 pm PC Heeralal was on patrol when he stopped a black Hilux.
While speaking to Ramkissoon, the officer detected a strong scent of alcohol and observed that his eyes were bloodshot and his speech slurred.
When asked if he had consumed alcohol, Ramkissoon said, “Officer, I had a few drinks. I now come from the fete in Brian Lara.” He failed the breathalyser test with a reading of 57 micrograms. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. Ramkissoon was given four months to pay the money or serve three years in jail. The court heard that it was Ramkisson's second DUI offence.
In another incident, around 11.45 pm on Friday Ackimo Cobhan was driving his Tiida along Jarvis Street, Vistabella, when PC Figaro stopped him.
The prosecutor said Figaro requested Cobhan’s driving documents and while speaking to him detected an alcohol scent on his breath.
Cobhan admitted that he had been drinking. Figaro administered the breathalyser tests on Cobhan, 30, who failed with a reading of 53 microgrammes.
Cobhan, a scaffolder, was also fined $11,000. He has three months to pay the money or serve three years in jail.
He was also disqualified from driving for three years.
Aniel Kapil Mannah was not only driving under the influence but with an expired driver’s permit and without a valid insurance policy.
The prosecutor said Mannah was arrested around 10.20 am on Saturday after he was stopped by PC Roopchand for a routine check. Mannah’s permit expired since October last year. Roopchand informed him that since his permit had expired the vehicle’s certificate of insurance would not be valid. The officer then administered the breathalyser tests on him after detecting alcohol on his breath. He failed with a reading of 42 microgrammes. The magistrate placed Mannah on a $2,000 bond for two years to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He was also fined $2,500 or in default four months in jail on the insurance charge. For driving with an expired permit, he was disqualified from driving for three years and also fined $400 or in default three months in prison. He has three months to pay the fines.