Brian Haywood, who is a remanded murder accused, was yesterday sentenced to four years in prison after admitting to trafficking drugs at the Camp Street Prison.
Additionally, Haywood, 31, of Lot 34 Prince William Street, Plaisance East Coast Demerara, was fined $75,600 for committing the offence, after pleading guilty.
At his initial arraignment on October 20, Haywood denied the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
But moments before his trial was set to begin yesterday, he indicated to Magistrate Ann McLennan that he wished to change his plea, saying that he did not want to waste the court’s time. “I don’t want to waste the court’s time meh worship and I would like to plead guilty to the charge,” the unrepresented man said.
He took responsibility for the charge that on October 15, at the Camp Street Prison, he had 63 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones, who presented the facts, said that on the day in question, at about 1:35pm, police and prison officers were conducting routine searches when the illegal substance was unearthed in a bucket in his cell. The court heard that a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, later confirmed to be cannabis, was found in a small handle-less bucket which was concealed in a larger bucket. He was arrested and charged and according to Jones admitted to the crime under caution.
When asked whether he wanted to say anything before sentencing, Haywood declined.
Magistrate McLennan then informed Haywood that, having considered the he pleaded guilty, thus saving the court considerable time in otherwise having to conduct a trial, he would be sentenced to 48 months in prison and fined $75,600.