$11,100 in fines for gun possession, resisting arrest

Kyron Joseph, 24, of Mon Repos, also pleaded guilty before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the San Fernando Magistrates Court to escaping police custody, resisting arrest and malicious damage to property. The magistrate heard from police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan that on February 3, at about 3 pm, police officers dressed in civilian clothing went to Building Seven of the Housing Development Corporation’s buildings at Mon Repos, Naparima Mayaro Road, San Fernando, where they saw Joseph seated on a couch in a bamboo patch. The prosecutor told the magistrate that Joseph had a gun tucked in his waist. He was arrested and taken to Church Street, Mon Repos, however, he broke loose from police officers while handcuffed.

Seedan told Forde-John that on Friday at about 5 pm, police officers were on foot patrol at La Pique Plaza, Coffee Street, San Fernando, when they spotted Joseph and they attempted to arrest him, but he pulled away. He then shouted, “You see the four ah allyuh, ah go kill allyuh boy.” Joseph, the magistrate was told, then smashed one of the glass doors at La Pique Plaza and attempted to escape but was apprehended.

He pleaded guilty to all of the charges, except the one relating to assaulting PC Williams of the San Fernando CID. Attorney Analee Girwar mitigated on Joseph’s behalf, saying that he had no previous convictions for any criminal offence. Joseph was fined $5,000 for possession of the gun, $2,500 for the ammunition, $750 for escaping lawful custody, $750 for resisting arrest, $500 for malicious damage to the glass, $1,250 as compensation for the glass and $350 as compensation for the handcuffs.

The magistrate reprimanded and discharged Joseph on the charge of larceny of the handcuffs. He was ordered to pay $1,000 forthwith and allowed 90 days to pay the remaining sum.