Obrie Bedsford, a labourer, on Wednesday pleaded with City Magistrate Annette Singh that he be sentenced to perform community service after he was found guilty on the charge of trafficking in narcotics.
According to the Police Prosecutor, on November 29, at about 15:45hrs, a police mobile patrol PAB 2126 in Albouystown, noticed Bedsford, 35 years of age, with a black plastic bag in his hand. The police executed a stop-and-search and found the suspected narcotic in the bag. Bedsford was told of the allegation and cautioned, but chose to remain silent. However, on Wednesday he admitted to the charge. The Court also heard that the cannabis has a street value of $31,500.
In his defence, Bedford said that he saw a man with bag walking, and enquired what was in the bag. The man responded that it was cannabis which he was selling for $4,000. Bedsford explained that at the time he had $5,000 in his possession and decided to buy the illicit substance. “Ma’am, I was going to sell it,” Bedsford told Magistrate Singh. He said this incident would be the first time that he ever sold cannabis hadn’t he been arrested. He also added that it was his first time before a court, and has two young children who rely on him financially.
Bedsford pleaded with Magistrate Singh for leniency saying that he is willing to perform community service. Magistrate Singh then ordered Bedsford to perform 10 hours of community service. He was also fined $31,500, being equal to the street value of the substance. Alternatively, Bedsford faces the possibility of serving three years in prison should he fail to perform the community service and pay the fine.
