The six month prison sentence imposed on thirty-two-year-old Desron Griffith of New Grounds for possession of 50 pounds of marijuana in February will have to stand.
That was the ruling handed down by the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal on Wednesday after hearing argument by the appellant’s lawyer, Richard Williams. {{more}}
Williams suggested that his client’s custodial sentence be varied and that a fine of $10,000 be imposed instead. He contended that his client had pleaded guilty to the offence and had thrown himself at the mercy of the court. He said he was a thirty-two-year-old man refrigeration technician with a bright future. He said he still could make a contribution to society.
Williams further said that his client was promised $1,000 to hold the drug in his garage and he consented. He said that normally, the magistrate court would impose a fine for such offence. He argued that there was no aggravating feature.
Williams asked for lenience for his client, saying he made a “foolish mistake”.
In reply, Justice Michael Gordon Q.C. said that with regard to the commercial aspect of the drug and the explanation given by the appellant, the Appeal Court did not see it fit “to interfere with the sentence” imposed by the magistrate court.