Union Island man fined $5,500 for ganja possession

A REPEAT marijuana possession offender counted his lucky stars last Monday, as his defence lawyer successfully pleaded that “we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

On April 30, the Serious Offenses Court was filled with defendants answering charges related to marijuana possession, but 23-year-old Tevin Sampson of Union Island escaped jail time after his defense lawyer, Roderick Jones, gave a compelling submission for leniency.

Jones explained that the young man had made a remarkable attempt at turning his life around by owning his own boat and engine and being a water taxi operator, which were commendable for his age. He explained that Sampson, who has an unemployed girlfriend and three-month-old daughter, is the sole breadwinner of his family, so when his boat engine malfunctioned, he unwisely resorted to hustling weed.

Jones said Sampson was remorseful and had complied with having his home searched. He said the young man had admitted to the offence immediately, stating “officer is my weed,” and so had saved the state the cost of having the 3,842 grams (over 8 pounds) of cannabis tested.

Jones reasoned with chief magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias that although Sampson had previous convictions for marijuana possession, he had stated that he would try harder not to resort to hustling weed.

Jones questioned that at 23 years old, how many of us could say we had not made a mistake, and that ‘”we have all sinned and have come short of the glory of God.”

Browne responded that there would be no custodial sentence however she fined Sampson $5,500 with $2,000 to be paid forthwith and the $3,500 balance to be paid by July 31.

The chief magistrate took the opportunity to remind persons that marijuana is still illegal in SVG.

TEVIN SAMPSON