A drinks vendor was yesterday fined $10,000 by Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when he pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon, an ice pick, after he had failed to offer a reasonable explanation to the police.
John Beckles last Friday at Avenue of the Republic had in his possession a dangerous weapon, to wit an ice pick, without lawful authority or reasonable explanation.
The court heard that on the day in question at 11:45 pm Police Cadet Officer Singh and a colleague were patrolling on the northern side of Avenue of the Republic in the vicinity of the New Building Society when Singh observed the accused riding a bicycle and taking something from his waist and putting it away on his bicycle. Singh then approached and identified himself as a police officer and conducted a search on him and his belongings.
A grey-handle metal ice pick was discovered stuck to his bicycle and Beckles could not give a reasonable explanation for the article being in his possession. He was then told of the offence committed and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where the weapon was lodged and Beckles was later charged. Beckles in his explanation stated that he is a drinks vendor and vends outside of a prominent fish shop in the city on Friday nights.
He explained that the ice pick is used to break up the ice he uses.
He said that he did not give this explanation to the police because of the manner in which they handled the matter.
The magistrate fined Beckles $10,000 to be paid forthwith.
