Magistrate gives Bajan man marching orders

Barbadian national Bedan Scantlebury was given his marching orders after pleading guilty to entering these shores illegally.{{more}}

Scantlebury appeared before Senior Magistrate Donald Browne at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 25.

The court heard that Scantlebury arrived in the country by speedboat on January 23 and was intercepted by local Coast Guard officials acting on information received.

Scantlebury and another man, whom immigration officials say is Vincentian by descent, were nabbed in Fancy.

No charges were brought against the Vincentian.

Scantlebury told officers that he was the captain of the boat and he went to pick up other crew members.

In his explanation to the Court, Scantlebury said he was experiencing engine problems and the Vincentian man was assisting him in getting his boat to Howard’s Marine boatyard.

However, his story did not hold water for the Magistrate Browne, who accused Scantlebury of coming here to collect marijuana.

“You and the Vincy come to stock the boat with marijuana. We have a lot of people getting murdered by coming here. I don’t believe your story…” Browne said.

Scantlebury was deported with immediate effect.(KW)