Drunk driver fined $15,000, disqualified for life

He did so on Thursday last and Magistrate Natalie Diop presiding in the San Fernando Magistrates’ court, heard yesterday that Ramjohn, of Union Road, Marabella, had his first conviction for driving under the infuence in 2010. In 2014, he had a second convition for a similar offence and he was again fined. He was also disqualified from driving for three years, however he petitioned the court and his permit was reinstated.

Yesterday, Ramjohn appeared before the magistrate on his third such offence to which he pleaded guilty. Diop fined him $15,000 or two years in jail and ordered him to pay $3,000 forthwith yesterday.

The magistrate told Ramjohn that upon a third conviction, a term of imprisonment is almost mandatory but due to his attorney’s plea that on his son’s death anniversary he became very aggrieved, she spared him going to jail.

Police last Thursday responded to a report of a vehicular accident shortly before midnight at Union Road, Marabella, involving Ramjohn. It was a minor accident, the court police prosecutor Sgt Kassieram Lutchman said. A breathalyser test however, revealed Ramjohn had exceeded the alcoholic limit by 42 mg per 100 ml of breath. Attorney Shamilla Michelle Gopaul told Diop that Ramjohn is in dire need of counselling because two years ago his son died.

“And it appears he needs help not for alcohol consumption, but for depression, for life has dealt him a harsh blow.” The attorney admitted that in 2010, Ramjohn was convicted for driving under the influence for which he was fined.

And in 2014, Ramjohn was again before a magistrate for a similar offence and he was fined and disqualified.

Diop told Ramjohn, who is a mechanic by trade, a third conviction makes it mandatory that the court disqualify him from driving permanently.

She granted him two months to pay the balance of the $12,000.