Man jumps into sea at Richmond to avoid capture

One man and his cannabis took a dive into the perilous waters off Richmond Beach to evade the police last Friday, but reality eventually sank in at the Serious Offences Court.

Chesley Jobe, a 45-year-old resident of Chateaubelair, was charged yesterday with possession of 5,902g of cannabis, with intent to supply on December 8; he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Jobe is said to have been walking with his pink and black backpack along the Richmond public road last Friday at around 2 p.m.

He then spotted the police, who were on mobile patrol duty and immediately took a turn towards the beach. The police alighted their transport and the defendant began running in the direction of the sea. He dived into the water and began swimming out to sea.

PC 139 Baptiste, in hot pursuit, followed Jobe into the water, even though the sea at Richmond is dangerous, and swam after him. Jobe then abandoned the backpack, but continued to swim outwards. However, Baptiste scooped up the bag and returned to the shore with it, where the other police officers were waiting.

After swimming for a while, Jobe eventually returned to the shore. The bag was opened in his presence, revealing seven taped packages containing a substance resembling marijuana. Jobe then said “Officer, that ah weed for me and me partner.”

Jobe pleaded with Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias for a fine, saying that things were really rough and that he had a three-month old baby.

“I does work, I does work as a farmer,” he stated, when asked if he had a job.

However, Browne-Matthias noted that he had given the police officer extra work by forcing him to go into the sea after him.

“This is a lot of drugs and I cannot let that slip at all,” she said, noting that the fine would be very hefty and would require him having to pay a significant portion of that immediately.

It would not be smooth sailing for Jobe; a fine of $7,500 was imposed on him, with $3,000 being paid forthwith or he will spend nine months in prison. The balance of $4,500 should be paid by the March 5 2018, failing which will result in 12 months imprisonment for him.(KR)