Security guard fined for driving recklessly and without a permit

An employee at the Sandals Resort construction site, who is not the holder of a driver’s permit, was fined after he took a truck from the Buccament Bay compound and drove it recklessly on the public road, while on his way to “find something to eat.”

Nicolas Paris, 51 of Buccament appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate John Ballah yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to all three of his charges.

Paris was charged that on October 1, 2023 at Buccament, being the driver of motor-vehicle TR516, he did use said vehicle without there being enforced any policy of insurance in the respect of third party risk in respect of the said vehicle.

He was also charged that on October 1, 2023 at Buccament being the driver of motor-vehicle TR516, did drive the said vehicle without being the holder of a driving permit.

Paris was also charged that on the same day at Buccament being the driver of motor-vehicle TR516, did drive the said vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public.

The facts, which were read by acting Corporal of Police Prosecutor Corlene Samuel stated that Paris was employed as a security guard at the Sandals Resort construction site.

At 1:30 pm, while on duty, Paris took one of the concrete mixer trucks and drove it onto the public road into the community of Buccament.

While doing so, the truck struck a concrete structure in the vicinity of Buccament Polyclinic. However, Paris continued driving the vehicle further down into the community and eventually ran off the road. The matter was reported to the police.

When investigations were conducted, it was discovered that Paris is not a holder of a driver’s permit. As a result, the vehicle became automatically uninsured.

Paris was arrested, taken to the police station and charged for the offences of dangerous driving, driving without a permit and driving without insurance.

He has no antecedents.

When the Magistrate asked Paris why he took the truck and drove it on the public road, Paris responded, “I wasn’t thinking, I just act.”

Paris also told the court that he drove a truck before while working at a mechanic shop, though never being in possession of a driver’s license.

“When I was a little boy growing up, my mother used to tell me you will pay to learn; so you will pay to learn,” Ballah told him, after Paris stated that his salary is roughly $700 but he only has about $200 with him at the moment.

In relation to the charge concerning the uninsured motor-vehicle, Paris was fined EC$1,000. A sum of EC$200 is to be paid forthwith with a default of two weeks in prison. The remainder is to be paid in one month with a default of three months in prison. He is also disqualified from holding a driver’s license for 12 months.

In relation to the offence of not holding a driver’s permit, Paris was fined EC$1,000. A sum of EC$200 must be paid forthwith with a default of two weeks in prison. The remainder must be paid in one month or he will spend three months in prison.

As for the final offence which is that of his reckless driving, he was fined a total of EC$1,000. A sum of EC$200 must be paid forthwith, failure to do will result in three months in prison. The remainder is to be in one month, and failure to do so will result in three months imprisonment.