Don’t waste court’s time, says Crown as plea change ripped

The Crown “strenuously” objected to a convicted man changing his guilty plea on a long standing criminal matter.

Senior Crown Counsel Oliver Thomas made the submission on Friday after Dario Devone Drayton, of Turton Gap, Gittens Road, Government Hill, St Michael, through his attorney asked to vacate part of his plea.

The cases before the No.2 Supreme Court are now in the sentencing phase.

Drayton previously pleaded guilty to robbing Leon Weekes of a $3,500 chain, a $1,000 cellular phone, in the parish of St John, on November 20, 2012. He also admitted that on the same day, in the same parish, he robbed Asif Padmore of two chains worth $19,000.

He also took responsibility for robbing Junior Clarke in the parish of St Michael of two chains and two pendants worth $13,500 on January 17, 2013 as well as unlawfully causing serious bodily harm to him with intent to maim, disfigure or disable him.

He further admitted that between August 30 and 31, 2009 he stole a motor car worth $9,000 belonging to Jamal Moseley, in the parish of Christ Church.

But Drayton has informed the court that he wants to vacate his plea in connection with the case involving Clarke.

“I would strenuously object to Mr Drayton being permitted to vacate this plea. For the reason that it was only after Mr Drayton heard the Crown’s suggestion on sentence in respect of [Clarke’s case] – that he sought to have it vacated and that is not a permissible basis to have a plea vacated,” said prosecutor Thomas.

The Crown Counsel further added that Drayton had heard all the facts in relation to all three indictments and agreed to those facts.

He added: “Mr Drayton’s concern is not a legitimate basis for having a plea vacated.

“A lot of time has been wasted because of these kinds of gymnastics, these pleas were entered from the time we were in Cane Garden . . . . I am objecting to any plea being vacated at this time.”

After hearing the submission, Justice Worrell adjourned the matter until November 9 for sentencing on the other matters.