Teen with knife placed on bond

A Christ Church man who was found in possession of a knife on a route taxi which he said was for his protection has been placed on a bond.

Dequan Amon Niles, 18, of Hopewell, Silver Sands, Christ Church must now keep the peace and be on his best behaviour for the next six months. If breached he will have to pay the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court $1,000 or spend 30 days in prison.

The sentence was imposed after Niles, a PSV conductor, pleaded guilty to having the weapon on August 31.

Prosecutor Verdon Forde said officers were on patrol along Nursery Drive Terminal where they observed a buildup of traffic. They then observed a route taxi with Niles sitting in one of the passenger seats. After the police had given the driver certain directions Niles was observed fidgeting with a bag.

A search was requested and conducted and a pink handled knife was found in the mentioned bag.

“I have the knife in my possession for my protection because I get rob in Silver Sands by the two twins,” Niles told police at the time he was questioned.  He then requested from police a “break” and promised to “take it home and put it up”.

Niles gave the same explanation to Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes saying, “I just had it for my protection”.