Lawrence Alfred was fined EC$1,000 forthwith when he appeared before Magistrate Keith Thom in the St. John’s Magistrates’ Court.
Alfred pleaded guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Thom imposed an alternative sentence of seven days imprisonment if the money was not paid.
The court heard that on 27 Oct., immigration officers went on duty to Alfred’s home on Tindale Road.
The officers identified themselves and inquired of Alfred as to his status in the country. He was unable to present his passport to the immigration officers and was therefore asked to accompany them to Immigration Headquarters.
Alfred was taken into custody at which time, he was cautioned and invited to give a statement, which he wrote and later signed. He was informed of his rights to have an attorney present.
The Guyanese man, in his statement, admitted to knowing that he had been out of time.
He said he gave his passport to a person identified as “Brian” and added that he paid the man EC$1,500 to acquire time for him. Brian has since reportedly left Antigua and is allegedly in Barbados.
Alfred was subsequently arrested and charged for remaining in the country after the expiration of his permit.
