Man jailed for cursing in court

A MAN who was pleading his innocence before a San Fernando magistrate against a charge of possession of marijuana, was jailed for 14 days after he broke down in tears and started cursing loudly before the court, yesterday. “We have had enough of this kind of disrespectful behaviour,” a stern Magistrate Sonia Aleong stated as a handcuffed Anthony Charles stood before her in the second court. Earlier yesterday, Charles appeared before magistrate Aleong charged with possession of marijuana. Expressing his innocence against the marijuana charge, Charles grew frustrated and broke down in tears. He then started cursing loudly saying, “I had no drugs on me!”

He was led away from the court as the magistrate adjourned the session for 15 minutes and retired to her Chambers. Even while he was being led away to the holding docks in the basement section of the courthouse, Charles continued cursing loudly. Charles was arrested in Gasparillo on April 29 and was later charged with possession of marijuana. He claimed that at the time of his arrest he had just left a shop after purchasing chocolate when patrolling officers stopped and searched him. He claimed that at the time of the search, he only had the chocolate in his pants pockets. The police are claiming otherwise.

When he was brought back to court after the cursing episode, Charles was chastised for his behaviour by the magistrate. “You all have no respect for the court,” Magistrate Aleong said, adding that such behaviour was now becoming common-place. “Well today we’ve had enough. There are tonnes of people in court and that is how you behaved.” Even at this time, Charles continued raving. As he threw his handcuffed hands in the air and shouted, “I never had any drugs and I not going to plead guilty to what I know nothing about,” the magistrate imposed the 14-day sentence on the charge of using obscene language. On completion of the sentence, Charles will return to court to have his marijuana case dealt with.