Coastguard opts for communty service for drunk driving

Community service for the coastguardsman would be determined by the Probation Office in San Fernando, Magistrate Natalie Diop said.

The magistrate also read to Clement, of Chatham Village, near Cedros, three other charges including: resisting arrest, disorderly behaviour and playing loud music in his vehicle while it was in motion. The seaman pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The court police prosecutor Sgt Kassieram Lutchman, told the magistrate when police had asked Clement what he had to drink, he said that he had four drinks of Johnny Walker, four beers “and some other drinks”.

He was taken to the San Fernando Police Station where he was administered a breathalyser test which gave a reading of 56 mg per 100 mm of breath. The legal limit is 35 mg. Attorney Adele Acosta pleaded with Diop not to impose any penalty that would impact on Clement’s life as a coastguard saying he will be disciplined by the TT Coastguard for breaking the law. A petty officer was present in court and noted the proceedings as it unfolded.

Attorney Acosta further pleaded that Clement was a disciplined officer in the Coast Guard and last year, he was commended for oustanding performance. “Your worship, a petty officer is present in court and Your Worship, he stands to be penalised. This will prevent him from continuing certain projects in the Coast Guard,” Acosta said. The prosecutor did not have a tracing and requested from the magistrate an adjournment to conduct one in order to determine whether Clement has a past criminal record.

The matter was postponed to May 18 and Clement was allowed continuing bail. Diop, however, instructed Clement to report yesterday to the Probation Office at Harris Street where officers there will begin the process of determining what community service they can enroll him in.