Magistrate not clear on music pirate charges

CHAGUANAS Magistrate Margaret Alert yesterday sought clarification on charges brought against businessman Roger Stone who pleaded guilty to producing, selling and profiting from the sale of thousands of illegal music CDs. Stone was supposed to be sentenced yesterday but his case has instead been adjourned to January 21. Magistrate Alert said: “While last week I had a problem with a section under which he was charged, now I think I have a problem with all the sections under which the charges were laid.”

Magistrate Alert said she needed  “more assistance and clarification” in relation to the charges and the Act, and advised the prosecution: “I feel  you may need more time to research this.”  Gilbert Peterson SC has been retained by the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) and has been granted a fiat by the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute in the matter. Yesterday, Aden Stroude stood in place of Peterson who is expected to be present when the matter is next heard on January 21. Stone was charged with producing and selling almost $500,000 in pirated music CDs. His attorney Victor Hosein expressed disgust at Peterson’s absence and reminded the court that his client had pleaded guilty. Last week Stone was arrested at his East Edinburgh Gardens, Chaguanas, home by police who seized 6,321 pirated CDS and seven CD burners. Charges were laid by PC Assing following the exercise by Central Division police and officials from COTT. Stone is on $15,000 bail.