$350 fine for cannabis

A Bank Hall man who fell and was injured while fleeing from police has been fined $350 after admitting cannabis-related offences in a Bridgetown court.

Philip Antonio King, 45, of Queen Mary Road pleaded guilty to having, trafficking and intending to supply 52.42 grammes of cannabis on August 12. 

Prosecutor Sergeant Reginald Blackman told the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that police were carrying out checks in Cheapside and, upon seeing their arrival, the accused immediately ran from the area, raising suspicions. The accused was pursued and, while running, fell and sustained minor injuries. King was caught near the General Post Office and his haversack was searched. The drugs, which had an estimated value of $262, were found in several small transparent plastic bags.

King’s attorney, Shadia Simpson, told the court that her client had the drugs for his own personal use and that, while he had tried to avoid arrest, he had offered cooperation to police officers while in custody.

“Sin does leave its trademark. As soon as he saw the police, he ran and fall down,” Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick said before fining King $350 immediately for the intent to supply. Failure to pay would have resulted in him being jailed for two weeks. He was convicted, reprimanded and discharged for the other two charges.

(JB)