‘I did it for my son’

A fisherman’s attempt to financially provide for his son’s college education overseas has landed him in trouble with the law.

Yesterday, Korey Alphonso Flatts of Block 19C, Silver Hill, Christ Church pleaded for leniency following guilty pleas back in February to charges of possession, trafficking and importation of 303.4 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Flatts decided three years ago – May 9, 2016 – to captain a boat to St Vincent, collect the illegal drugs and return to Barbados. However he was caught in the country’s territorial waters.

In his submissions on sentencing before Madam Justice Pamela Beckles Crown Counsel Neville Watson urged the No. 5 Supreme Court to consider a prison term of between ten to 15 years given the aggravating factors of Flatts’ crime.

He stated that the quantity of drugs involved was “very substantial” and “certainly 303.4 kilogrammes of that substance suggests the quantity of drugs was designed to generate illegal profit” as well as the level of sophistication involved.

“I submit that there were no mitigating factors in relation to this offence because the accused played a key role in this regard,” the prosecutor argued.

However, Watson went on to admit that there were mitigating factors when it came to Flatts the offender since he cooperated with police and evidence suggested he showed “genuine remorse” for the crime. He also pointed to the accused’s early guilty plea adding that the necessary discounts should apply when handing down the sentence.

However, the 43-year-old told Justice Beckles eight years in prison would suffice for the crime.

“My previous conviction is a very small matter and I am the father of two children. This is why I found myself in this position because of my son that is in the States and he got the opportunity to go to college. The first one in the family . . . and I wanted that opportunity for him.

“I think eight years would be appropriate because . . . . I am not a nuisance,” Flatts added before his case was adjourned until June 7 for the sentencing.