Sick mom saves cocaine accused from jail

A Springville father of two yesterday narrowly avoided a custodial sentence at the hands of  Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh in the San Fernando Second Court, when he appeared to answer a charge of possession of cocaine. Fisherman Tony Perrot, 24, was yesterday treated as a new offender, since his previous convictions were dated more than eight years ago. Perrot has two previous convictions for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking in 1996, for which he received seven and five month sentences. The court heard PC Elborne of the San Fernando CID was on mobile patrol in a marked police vehicle along King’s Wharf on July 12. While looking in the direction of the vehicle, Perrot placed an object into his right front trouser pocket. His actions aroused the suspicion of Elborne, who subsequently searched the defendant and found 8.9 grammes of cocaine.

Deonarinesingh was hesitant in handing down a custodial sentence to Perrot. She said, “Cocaine is not easy to quit on your own. There are no proper institutions to help persons like you with that habit.You are going to go out there and get it easily. I am very tempted to sentence you to a jail term where it may help you, and you may be able to quit the habit.” Taking into consideration Perrot’s father’s failing health and his unemployed mother, the judge ordered him to pay $2,000 within 30 days, or serve four months imprisonment. Deonarinesingh told the repentant looking Perrot, “Next time you appear before me, I am sending you straight to prison  and I will have to throw away the key and give you nine years.”