Magistrate off to a hectic new year in court

SEVERAL persons began the New Year before Magistrate Marcia Thompson-Murray in the Fourth Magistrates’ Court, where they appeared yesterday charged with various offences stemming from separate incidents that occurred over the holiday season.

One such person was St James resident James Jarette, who appeared before Magistrate Thompson-Murray charged with exposing explosives for sale without a licence on December 31, 2003. Jarette, 19, of DeFreitas Street, St James pleaded guilty to the offence. He was placed on $10,000 bail with surety to be approved by the Clerk of the Peace. Attorney Patrick Godson-Phillip appeared for Jarette. The matter was adjourned to Monday for tracing and sentence.

In another matter, five persons appeared before Magistrate Thompson-Murray charged with possession of marijuana. According to the charge which was read to the court, the five — Oswald Sylvester, Jason Rodriguez, Roger Thomas aka Kesley Joseph, Patrice Webb and Naomi Pena — were found in possession of marijuana at Hamlet Street, St Barb’s, Laventille on December 30, 2003. The charges were laid by PC Heath. When called upon to plead, Sylvester pleaded guilty, while Rodriguez, Thomas, Webb and Pena pleaded not guilty to the offence. The matter was adjourned to Monday for tracing and sentence. Attorney Ian Brook is representing Webb in the matter.

Also stemming from charges laid during the Yuletide Season, Quasie John of McIntosh Street, Laventille, was charged with resisting PC Quasie Guy in the execution of his duty, and use of obscene language. John pleaded guilty to both offences which occurred on January 1 — New Year’s Day. He was released on his own bail in the sum of $5,000. John will re-appear before a PoS magistrate on January 12 for tracing and sentence.