Vagrants charged with sleeping on the streets

Magistrate Cheryl Charles and other police officers on duty had a difficult time dealing with the vagrants, as the stench from each of the homeless persons got the better of them, causing them to hold onto their noses.

Each of the 43 persons were dealt with individually, and the charge laid was read to them. The charge stated that on Thursday, December 15, the vagrants were found sleeping in public places, and were not able to account for themselves. When asked how they pleaded to the charge, many vagrants were unable to give the magistrate a simple answer of guilty or not guilty, and instead answered contrary to the details of the proceedings.

One vagrant, as he stood before Charles, cried openly with his hands in the air, calling the magistrate to "stop black power."

"Is the Constitution! All kinda things going on, and is the black power have it so. See about this please," cried the elderly vagrant.

Another man who gave his name as Joseph John, gave various addresses for his place of abode.

"Where do you live sir?," asked the magistrate.

"Am, madam, I living Frederick Street, Independence Square and Abercromby Street," replied John.

Of the 43 arrested vagrants, four were remanded to reappear next week, while the others were sent for psychiatric evaluation at the St Ann’s Hospital.

While the court room remained filled with the stench for quite some time, police officers exercised extreme caution when handling the vagrants, and equipped themselves with masks, rubber gloves and batons.

Senior officers attached to the court complained that the court was not properly equipped to handle cases such as yesterday’s with the vagrants.

The police officers also expressed concern that social welfare officers were not in court for the proceedings.