Vermont man caught with cutlass at MCMH, fined $400

A Vermont man was on Tuesday fined $400 after being found with a cutlass at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) last Saturday, April 30.{{more}}

Sheldon Moses, a 28-year-old labourer, stood before the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, where he was charged for having in his possession an offensive weapon in a public place.

Police say that around 3:18 a.m., while at the MCMH, Moses was approached by an officer who requested a search of his person. Moses consented to the search and a cutlass was found on his waist.

The offence was pointed out to Moses and he replied “Officer a man threaten me, so me ah walk with me cutlass to defend myself.”

Moses was then arrested and was taken to the Central Police Station.

When questioned as to why h, did not report the matter, Moses told the court that he did in fact report the matter, but carried the cutlass nevertheless.

“I didn’t have any plans to hurt anybody,” Moses said, also explaining that he uses the cutlass at his occupation.

However, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias stated that Moses’ story was inconsistent and he was fined $400, to be paid forthwith, with default of one month in prison. She also ordered that the cutlass be confiscated.