Mom has change of heart

The readiness of family members to lend support and provide financial assistance today resulted in Shaquille Ricarla Calderon ending his stint on remand at HMP Dodds.

Having already spent over two years at HMP Dodds on a firearm charge, Calderon, of Thorne’s Gap, Land End, St Michael, was given three months to pay a $12, 000 fine when he reappeared before Justice Randall Worrell in the No. 2 Supreme Court.

He had previously pleaded guilty to having a 12-gauge signal flare launcher on December 20, 2018.

When the matter came up today the convicted man’s mother, sister and brother-in-law told the court they would be willing to provide accommodation and financial assistance to Calderon if a fine was instituted.

His mother, who had previously evicted Calderon from her home, said she would openly accept him if he was released.

“I have had a change of heart and I am hoping the court will give him a chance. I would prefer him to be with me. He has no other place to stay,” she said.

Additionally, she said she hoped his time in prison taught him a lesson and he would be a better person because of that experience.

She said Calderon’s older brother who was living overseas was now back in Barbados and she expected his presence to be a good influence on him.

His sister also testified that she would be willing to provide financial assistance in helping him to pay a fine.

Lamar Nurse, his brother-in-law, told the court he was self-employed in the construction field.

He said he would be willing to pay a fine on behalf of Calderon, who would then work for him as a labourer to repay the debt.

After hearing the family’s intentions, Justice Worrell said there was no need to further incarcerate Calderon.

However, he warned him that if the $12, 000 was not paid in three months he would spend the remaining 769 days of his sentence.

Senior Crown Counsel Olivia Davis appeared on behalf of the Crown while Harry Husbands represented Calderon.