Wrong gift

His desire to give his girlfriend of eight years a dream wedding landed a 26-year-old man in trouble with the law.

On August 30, 2018 Kemar Melvin Leroy Burrowes, of Ashbury Land, St George was charged with importation of two pounds of cannabis as well as possession, possession with intent to supply and possession with intent to traffic the illicit substance which had a $3,000 street value.

The first time offender had pleaded not guilty to the offence on his first appearance in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court and had been on $5,000 bail.

However, when he appeared before Magistrate Douglas Frederick today with his attorney-at-law Damien Sands he threw in the towel and pleaded guilty to the four drug offences.

Prosecutor Sergeant St Clair Phillips told the magistrate that Burrowes went to the post office back in August to collect a parcel. The vegetable substance was found when members of the drug squad examined it.

Mitigating on Burrowes’ behalf the attorney revealed that his client had been in a relationship for the past eight years with his girlfriend and they had a child together. He said the couple wanted to get married in July this year but due to financial issues could not get a loan to cover the expenses.

“So he decided to take a chance. This is a one-off situation . . . he just wanted to give his girlfriend a dream wedding,” Sands said. Burrowes also gave the magistrate the same explanation.

In considering the situation Magistrate Frederick imposed a combination sentence on the grounds that this was the accused’s first offence.

“It’s a huge amount but you are a first timer [also] because of the gravity of the matter community service will not be sufficient,” the magistrate said before placing Burrowes on a bond for a year. If he breaches the order he will have to pay the court $1,500 forthwith or spend three months in prison.

Burrowes was also ordered to perform 240 hours of community service and must return to court for an update on September 9, 2019.

“Make sure this marriage last because you would have put yourself in danger and peril for nothing,” the magistrate said just before informing Burrowes that a conviction would not be recorded against him if he completed his bond and community service successfully.