Pt Fortin Mayor in court

Paul, 72, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Alicia Chankar.

He was arrested at about 8 pm during a roadblock exercise in the La Brea district.

The mayor chaired the last statutory meeting of the Point Fortin Borough Council on Tuesday, in a sitting with councillors and aldermen at the coporation offices.

The statutory life of the council ends at 10 o’clock tonight. Paul’s arrest occurred at Grants Trace Junction, during the police roadblock exercise.

The mayor, who at the time was driving a Nissan SUV - PDE 199 - was stopped and a breathalyser test administered. Paul, who was sworn in as Mayor three years ago, was escorted to La Brea Police Station where he a second breathalyser test was administered.

Sgt Gosine later charged the Mayor who was granted station bail in the sum of $5,000. He left the station and went to his home at Bonasse Village, Cedros.

Yesterday, Paul was escorted to the Point Fortin Magistrates’ court in a vehicle which entered through the back entrance of the nearby police station.

Magistrate Chankar read the charge to Mayor Paul that on October 18, he drove motor vehicle PDE 199, while the alcohol level in his breath exceeded the prescribed limit.

Paul, who was represented by attorney James Philbert instructed by Derek Dindial was asked how he would plead and he said, “Not guilty.” Philbert asked the magistrate for full disclosure of details of the charge and a summary of the evidence against Paul. The magistrate allowed the mayor to leave on continuing bail as she adjourned the case to November 2.