Teenage first-time offender pleads guilty to drug charge

A young man who admitted that he “liked the experience” of smoking cannabis received a stern warning from Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes on Wednesday.

When he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, Shawn Patrick Butcher-Nurse, 17, of #51 Philips Road, Pinelands, St Michael, pleaded guilty to having the illegal drug in his possession on August 3.

The prosecutor Police Constable Verdon Forde told the court that an island constable was on duty at the National Conservation Commission (NCC) when he saw Butcher-Nurse sitting with other boys. He then saw him go into a bag and take out a transparent bag and give it to one of the boys in exchange for money.

The island constable approached Butcher-Nurse and he consented to a search of his person.

While searching his haversack, a package containing vegetable matter was found. The drugs had a value of $30.

Attorney-at-law Robert Simmons, who appeared on behalf of Butcher-Nurse, said his client was remorseful and did not waste the court’s time.

He asked the Chief Magistrate to consider community service since the first-time offender was scheduled to start a new job soon.

Before ordering him to do a counselling stint, the Chief Magistrate told Butcher-Nurse that he ran the risk of ruining his life if he continued using illegal drugs.

He also told the young man’s mother who was present in the court to do whatever was necessary to ensure her son remained on the straight and narrow path.

Butcher-Nurse was granted $1 000 bail and will return to court on Friday.