Waithe apologises for disrespecting the court; pleads guilty to obstructing police

A St Thomas porter, charged with assaulting police officers in the execution of their duties, today apologized to the court for his demonstrated disrespect during an appearance yesterday.

Twenty-five-year old Joseph Nathaniel Waithe of Grand View, Shop Hill, told District “A” Criminal Court Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant he was sorry for the way he acted towards her yesterday, attributing his behavior to frustration brought on by a hard day at work.

However, his apology did not pacify the magistrate sufficiently to stop her from “dishing out” a verbal scolding.

The magistrate told the accused his behavior was inexcusable, especially considering he is already before the court for assaulting police officers, resisting arrest and obstructing them in the execution of their duties.

Cuffy-Sargeant later turned to his mother – who signed bail for him – and urged her to counsel her son about his attitude.

“He has a bad attitude. You have to speak to him about his disrespect for authority,” declared the judicial officer, who did not specify the nature of the accused’s behavior.

Waithe is before the court on five charges. He pleaded guilty to obstructing police constable Shane Quintyne in the execution of his duty on Wednesday.

He is also accused of assaulting Quintyne and resisting him on the same day.

The porter is also charged with assaulting female police constable Cheryl Thompson in the execution of her duty and resisting her in the execution of her duty on Wednesday.

The case was adjourned until April 21.