Teens appear in court on drug charge; one turns up in gang T-shirt

The court has ordered a probation report on a 14-year-old who appeared in court on a drug charge wearing his gang’s T-shirt.

The juvenile was one of two teens who appeared before magistrate Rickie Burnett at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, August 17, charged with having in their possession 367 grams of cannabis with intent to supply.

The other youngster was 19-year-old Kenson Browne.

Both teenagers pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard that on Wednesday, August 16, woman police officer Parris was travelling in a passenger van from Kingstown headed to Georgetown, when both defendants boarded at Colonarie.

Browne was carrying a black Jansport bag when the younger defendant pointed out a corporal of police and another police officer to Browne. Browne then handed the bag to the youngster, who placed it by his feet, under the seat in front of him.

Officer Parris observed this behaviour and questioned the teens about their actions. She then identified herself as a police officer in plain clothes and requested the bag.

A search of the bag revealed a parcel containing what appeared to be marijuana. The younger defendant stated that the drug was given to them by someone else.

They were taken to the Georgetown Police Station and arrested on suspicion and then subsequently charged with possession of a controlled drug.

Browne, who dropped out of the Sandy Bay Secondary School in third form, was fined $600, to be paid by September 29. In default, he will spend three months in prison.

The younger teen, who displayed a more aggressive attitude during the court hearing, constantly cut his eyes at his mother, who claimed he was rude to her. He is also said to be a member of a gang in Sandy Bay and appeared in court in his gang member T-shirt with the words “Crooks Family” printed in front and his nickname at the back.

Lawyers Israel Bruce and Ronnie Marks were present in court and gave their views on the youths of today and also a possible sentence for the youngster, who stood laughing. They also tried to caution the young man about the road on which he is headed.

Magistrate Burnett ordered that the Family Court submit a probation report on the juvenile; he also imposed a 7 p.m. curfew.

The teen is also required to report to the Sandy Bay Police Station every day at 7:30 a.m. until the next hearing. Failure to do so will result in him being housed at the Central Police Station, where he would be detained as a juvenile.(CJ)