Bus conductor fined for cannabis

A bus conductor of Edinboro has until the end of June to finish paying a drug-fine imposed on him by the Serious Offences Court.
Leroy Robert Antoine was arrested and charged for possessing 515 grams of cannabis with intent to supply on December 21, 2003. When he first appeared in Court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and hearing was adjourned to a later date.{{more}}
When Antoine, not represented by legal counsel, reappeared before the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, he again maintained his innocence. And Chief Magistrate Simone Churaman asked former Attorney General Arthur Williams to assist him.
Williams willingly agreed to assist the young man and took him out of the court room to converse. When they returned, Antoine changed his plea to guilty.
The Court heard that on December 21, a police officer was on duty in the area of the RBTT bank when he observed Antoine with a bag. He became suspicious and approached Antoine, requesting a search. When the policeman searched the bag Antoine had, the cannabis was found.
Williams, in presenting mitigating factors, said Antoine had pleaded guilty to the charge, the amount was not exorbitant and there was no record of any previous conviction.
Chief Magistrate Churaman imposed a $1,500 fine on Antoine. Having asked the defence counsel how the defendant intended to pay the fine, she was told that the defendant’s father would pay $750 the following day and the balance at a later date. As a result, she ordered that the $750 be paid by 9.00 a.m. on Wednesday 9 June, and the balance by June 30.
Antoine faces imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine as ordered.