Father, son arrested for drunk driving

Headed by Cpl Nichols Davis of the South Highway Patrol Operations Unit, six people were arrested in Central Trinidad during a police exercise on Friday and Saturday nights.

The 11 who were arrested along the SS Erin Road and in San Fernando on Friday and Saturday nights, appeared before Magistrate Natalie Diop in the San Fernando Magistrates’ court.

Among them was a 71-year-old father and his 46-year-old son, both charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The elderly Zainool Manoo pleaded guilty having been stopped along the SS Erin Road, Debe on Saturday night. It was revealed that a breathalyser test showed that the level of alcohol in his breath was 66 micrograms.

Manoo told the magistrate that he was celebrating his birthday and had some drinks. The magistrate fined him $1,700. After the magistrate dealt with the father, who pleaded for leniency on the grounds that he was a pensioner, three other accused appeared before her and she imposed fines on all for drunk driving charges. Later, Manoo’s son Fareed stood before Magistrate Diop and pleaded guilty to exceeding the legal limit while driving along the SS Erin Road.

The prosecutor said that when tested, Fareed’s breath gave a reading of 100 micrograms of alcohol.

Magistrate Diop fined him $7,500 or in default 15 months in jail. In the Chaguanas Magistrates’ court, six DUI charges were postponed to February 22 for facts and sentencing after six motorist pleaded guilty.

The police exercises in south and Central Trinidad included PCs Shiraz Ali, Wayne Ali, Bridgemohan, Mohammed, Paul and Mahadeo.