Psychiatric evaluation ordered for cocaine addict

A scaffold builder’s life has been slowly crumbling from cocaine use.

And when Ken Dacosta Murrell, of 2nd Avenue Park Road, Bush Hall, St Michael appeared before Magistrate Douglas Frederick today charged with two criminal offences he requested help for his addiction through his attorney Naomi Lynton.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing a bag of bottles worth $5 belonging to St Clair Cadogan and unlawfully and maliciously wounding Kendro Cadogan on February 21.

In the facts outlined by police constableKevin Forde the court heard the Cadogans are father and son who live together and collect bottles to sell.

They were at home yesterday when the dogs began barking incessantly prompting them to look out the window just in time to see Murrell running away with the bag of bottles. Kendro pursued and caught him on the roadway. However, the bottle thief was armed with a knife and as a result the complaint was wounded in the upper left arm and in his right palm during a struggle.

“This entire offence was as a result of a drug problem. He was a family man and the sole source of financial and emotional support for his daughter before he was gripped by drugs. The stark change came a year ago . . . [following] the sudden death of his grandmother and then the loss of his job . . . His life spiraled into this cocaine habit,” Lynton revealed as she requested that the court remand the accused to the Psychiatric Hospital for an evaluation of his fitness for rehabilitation at Verdun House.

“I really need help sir,” Murrell said in his plea for help.

“I apologize for the wrong that I have done and to the people,” he added just before Frederick remanded him to the Black Rock, St Michael facility until March 15.