A fugitive who had been given two jail sentences in his absence was yesterday brought to a city court on a new charge that he offered police ganja in exchange for his freedom.
Terry Gittens, of Bartica, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of having 3 pounds of cannabis in his possession and was told that he would have to serve the sentences that were imposed on him last year.
It is alleged that on February 15th, at Fourth Avenue, Bartica, Gittens had 3 pounds of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking in his possession.
The unrepresented man pleaded guilty “with explanation” to the charge. He told the court that he was approached by the police, who told him of the allegation and arrested him. He said that he was shown the illicit substance when it was weighed at the Bartica Police Station but claimed that he did not own the substance he was shown. However, the prosecutor told the magistrate that according to her files, the man was arrested after he was approached by the police and told them he would give them 3 pounds of cannabis for his freedom. She said that the officers followed him to his Bartica home, where he showed them the suspected narcotics and they immediately arrested him.
The prosecutor also told the court that the man has two sentences to serve for two similar offences. She informed the court that the sentences were handed down on March 15th, 2019 by a magistrate. She further noted that Gittens did not show up to the court and the two sentences, two years for each of the previous charges which were to be served concurrently, were never served.
Gittens told the magistrate that he made three court appearances but that he was never told of the sentencing. Chief Magistrate McLennan then remanded him on the new charge and ordered him to begin serving his sentences.
