Chief Magistrate‘s patience runs out with teenage girl

Shakeila Gibson-Richards’ luck ran out with Chief Magistrate Sonya Young on Tuesday, when she was sentenced to three months in prison on a cocaine possession charge.{{more}}

After pleading guilty at the Serious Offences Court on April 15 on the cocaine charge, the 16-year-old was back in court on Tuesday for using indecent language.

On May 21, at the Central Police Station, Gibson-Richards made use of indecent language to Sergeant Avianne Smith, to wit, “Yuh can’t (expletive) lash me, else ah go lash yo’ back”.

The court heard that at about 9:20 a.m., Sergeant Smith was on duty at the station when Gibson-Richards, who was being held, began behaving in an aggressive manner, when she used the words.

However, Young said she will sentence Gibson-Richards on the indecent language charge following her three month prison sentence on the cocaine charge.

On the cocaine charge, Gibson-Richards was brought before Young on April 10, for possession of six rocks of the illegal substance.

Police were carrying out routine stop and search duties in Kingstown at about 1:30 a.m. on April 10, when the vehicle in which Gibson-Richards was a passenger was stopped and searched.

A search of Gibson-Richards’ bag turned up an asthma inhaler, which when opened, revealed six foil wrappings with cocaine in it.

However, on that occasion, the magistrate ordered the media out of court before Gibson-Richards could be sentenced.

SEARCHLIGHT, however, understands that Gibson-Richards was placed on a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew and was ordered to stay with her mother.

She was also ordered to attend the adult literacy evening classes.

Gibson-Richards, however, broke her curfew and was again picked up by the police.

Automatically, the cocaine charge, which she would have been cleared of had she maintained the order of the court, was reactivated and Gibson-Richards was sentenced to three months for drug possession.

“There are few people I take personal interest in who have let me down. I have a feeling that God wants me to deal with young ladies to help them to go on the right path… I didn’t let the press in the courtroom that time, so they could have a field day with you. I wanted to protect you…,” Young said.

“You just figure you’ve reached where you’re going and that is what pains me. You are not the worst and I don’t know if you know that,” Young continued.

A dejected Young said on Tuesday “It is just easy for me to use my pen and say go to prison. I wanted you to go to school, help you to get an education. I met you on the road all late hours and when I sent to look for you, I can’t find you…”

Asked why she stopped attending the literacy classes, Gibson-Richards said she couldn’t “get along” with other students there.

“It isn’t always easy, but you have to accept and understand. What do you want me to do with you?” Young asked.

Gibson-Richards replied “counselling.”

“You take care of yourself. I’m done!” Young said. (KW)