Addict begs court for help after admitting his ‘liking’ for cocaine ever since it was put in his weed

After smoking a “blackie”, Romario Shane Rashan Lewis developed an insatiable appetite for cocaine.

That appetite led him to commit several robberies in search of money to support his habit.

A tearful Lewis broke down in the Oistins Magistrates’ Court this morning as he begged Magistrate Deidre McKenna for assistance in helping him beat his drug addiction.

After he pleaded guilty to two robberies, McKenna sentenced him to 18 months in prison and ordered him to undergo drug rehabilitation during his time at Dodds.

The 32-year-old of #89 Hillside, Gall Hill, Christ Church, was charged with seven offences but only admitted to two.

Lewis pleaded guilty to robbing Deborah Alleyne on August 29, 2022 of a handbag, a purse and $20 in cash. The items had a total value of $220.

He also admitted that on August 14, 2022, he stole a haversack, two cell phones, two pants, a cap, a gold-coloured chain, a gold-coloured ring, ear buds, a purse, $245 in cash, a duffle bag, a pair of slippers, boots, two t-shirts and one jersey belonging to Yonnike Moore. The items had a total value of $5 565.

However, Lewis denied entering the home of Rosita Lewis, his mother, on June 3, 2022, and stealing two tins of hotdogs, two tins of tuna, two packs of drink mix and six packs of Ramen, worth $15.10.

He pleaded not guilty to stealing a cell phone, a handbag, a pair of sandals and a purse belonging to Shirley Nicholls on February 13, 2022. The items had a total value of $292.

Lewis also denied that on August 8, 2022, he stole a handbag, a purse, $350 in cash, a driver’s licence, blood pressure machine, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, toothpaste, a toothbrush and a bottle of Listerine belonging to Janetta Spence-Howell. The items were valued at $539.25.

The accused also faces two additional charges but they were transferred to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court and will be heard on September 8.

He was not required to plead to robbing Cheryl Simmons on August 30, 2022, of a bag, a cell phone, six keys and $2.50 in cash, which together had a value of $287.50, as well as stealing $500 in cash, a United Kingdom driver’s licence, one debit card, a purse and earphones belonging to Delaney Erica Morris on April 16, 2022. The items were valued at $1590.08.

When asked to give a reason for his actions in relation to the two offences to which he admitted he was guilty, Lewis told the court he desperately needed help for his drug problem.

“I now start smoking coke. Somebody put cocaine in my weed and now I liking it all the time. I steal the items because since I start smoking cocaine everybody done wid me and I wasn’t getting anything to eat.

“When the police hold me I tell them where I threw the bags and I ask them to help me. It is four months, three days since I start smoking cocaine and I would like the court to help me. I know I used to give trouble before but I was looking to turn my life around but I can’t stop smoking it,” Lewis admitted.

“I never experienced anything like this. I don’t want to get sentence and go jail and then come back home and smoke cocaine again. I want to go to drug rehab.”

Magistrate McKenna sentenced Lewis to 18 months in prison for both offences. The sentences will run concurrently.

She advised him that during his time in prison he should take advantage of the drug rehabilitation programmes on offer.