Jail for stoning police vehicle

For that, San Fernando Magistrate Natalie Diop, yesterday sentenced Griffith to four months in jail.

Griffith made his first court appearance on Monday afternoon when he pleaded guilty. PC Aziz of the San Fernando Municipal Police Station, had charged him with throwing missiles and malicious damage. She dismissed the latter charge and adjourned the case to yesterday for sentencing.

Police said that on Sunday last, PCs Aziz and Nanan were proceeding in a marked police vehicle.

Upon reaching the corner of Penitence and Chacon Street, San Fernando, the officers heard a loud noise. Upon checking they saw an indentation on the vehicle’s right door. The officers then observed Griffith throwing another stone in the direction of the vehicle.

The court heard that the officers called out to Griffith who ran off. Police gave chase and arrested him a short distance away.

Upon arrest, he told police, “Some men were following me. I did not know it was a police vehicle so I pelt them.” Aziz charged him with the offences.

Diop noted that Griffith had been before the court on 24 matters, with 16 convictions which included jail terms and heavy fines. She added that the maximum jail term for throwing missiles is six months, hard labour.

She then sentenced him to four months in jail.