Fathers weep for sons in Court

It was a case of reversed roles at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, as a pair of fathers shed tears for their teenage sons who were facing jail time – a scene that usually plays out involving heartbroken mothers.{{more}}

The emotional fathers may have prevented their sons from spending more time behind bars, as they received bail and a fine, respectively, for their unrelated drug offences.

The first case involved a 14-year-old, who on Monday January 12th was arrested and charged with the possession of 3,176 grams of cannabis.

The youngster pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was placed on $3,000 bail with one surety, as well as curfew from 6pm to 6am daily.

The matter was transferred to the Family Court and was to have been heard on Wednesday, January 14th.

The youngster was placed in the custody of his father, who told the court that he had recently returned from a two-week stint in Trinidad. He said upon his return he could not locate his son for one week, until he was informed that his son had been locked up.

The teary-eyed father begged Chief Magistrate Sonia Young to show leniency on his son and promised to watch him closely while in his care.

The Chief Magistrate, speaking to the juvenile, chastised him for his criminal behavior.

“You are studying things other than your school work. You lucky I am not the President of the Family Court. I would take you to the Market Square and whip you if I were your father or mother.”

A similar warning went to Cerano Lockhart as he entered the prisoner’s box.

The 17-year-old Rose Bank resident pleaded guilty to possession of 336 grams of marijuana after his January 12th arrest.

As his father Emmanuel Harry entered the courtroom, he, too, was in tears.

He explained to the court that the arrest was a situation that he never expected his son to be in.

The father, after composing himself, agreed to pay the $450 fine forthwith, which prevented his son from a 3-month sentence. He then asked the Chief Magistrate to give a strict warning to his son.

“Before I leave my job I know you will come back to me. When you do I will treat you like a man,” she told him.

“This is a New Year’s gift.”

The Chief Magistrate urged the fathers to keep a close watch on their sons, warning them that if they continue their criminal trend, they will be killed “in the mountains or on the sea.” (JJ)