Prisoner caught with ‘razor toothbrush’

A PRISONER who was found with a weapon in his possession at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on Monday changed his plea for the third time yesterday when he appeared before a magistrate.

Sherwyn Smith, 22, of Barataria, was allegedly found with a toothbrush containing a razor blade at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ cells on Monday morning after he was searched by Courts and Process officers on his arrival from Remand Yard. Smith, who was brought to court on a charge of escaping lawful custody, was subsequently taken to the Central Police Station by PC Christopher Mc Williams and was charged. Smith, who appeared on Monday before Magistrate Michelle Maharajh-Brown in the Port-of-Spain Fifth Magistrates’ Court, originally pleaded guilty to the charge. The magistrate after conferring with the prosecutor, asked Smith why he refused to have his fingerprints taken, upon which he shouted that he was not guilty. This caused the magistrate to read the charge again and ask Smith if he was changing his plea.

Smith responded he was not guilty and refused to have his fingerprints taken without talking to his attorney. Magistrate Maharajh-Brown then transferred the matter to the Third Magistrates’ Court for yesterday when Smith reappeared before Magistrate David Harris. A now calm Smith changed his plea once again to guilty. He began to explain to Magistrate Harris that he was in prison for more than a year and there was an ongoing feud between him and three other men. However, he was cut short by the magistrate who told him he needed his fingerprints in order to trace his criminal records before pass sentencing. Smith agreed and the magistrate adjourned the matter to tomorrow.