Jeffrey Jermaine Jerome Aimey on Friday claimed that he cultivated thousands of dollars worth of marijuana in order to support his family.
“I apologize,” the 33-year-old forklift operator, from Skeete’s Road, Fairfield, St Michael, told Magistrate Manila Renee. “I trying to support my family. I have three children and a wife. I was tying all kinds of things. It is nothing I am proud of . . . I am just trying to pay the bills, my wife has debts, I have debts.
“ I truly apologize because I love my family. I am just asking for some leniency, asking for a chance.”
It was Aimey’s response when the magistrate asked if he had anything to say for his actions after pleading guilty to possession, possession with intent to supply and traffic as well as cultivation of marijuana.
The court heard that police acting on information went to Aimey’s neighbourhood on September 16 in connection with another matter.
While there, according to Sergeant Paul Prescod, officers observed Aimey tending to a number of plants enclosed in a galvanized pailing. They kept him under observation and then approached. He admitted knowledge and ownership which led to a search of his residence.
In his bedroom hanging on a clothesline, the prosecutor said, were a number of stalks and leaves. A further search found a jar containing seeds and leaves.
Aimey took responsibility for the illegal substance which weighed over eleven pounds and had an estimated street value of $22,670.
“These are very serious offences. The court takes these offences very seriously,” Magistrate Renee stated before allowing Aimey’s mother to address her while his wife listened.
The parent described her son as a loving and peaceful person who has never given her any trouble.
“He is a very nice guy. I just so surprise. I know things are really hard, but that is no excuse. I just can’t believe it . . . but I am here asking for you to show some mercy,” the woman said.
After hearing their submissions Magistrate Renee noted that Aimey had no previous convictions. She also noted that he had thrown himself at the mercy of the court at the first opportunity by entering guilty pleas and not wasting judicial time. She said he had also shown remorse.
“We are going to give you a second chance,” the magistrate said as she then reprimanded and discharged him on the possession, intent to supply and traffic charges.
On the offence of cultivation, Aimey was placed on a bond for two years to keep the peace and be of good behavior. If he breaches the magistrate’s order he will have to pay the court a $5,000 fine in two days. If Aimey is unable to come up with the sum he will spend the alternative sentence of two months at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds
