Driving without license lands teen in hot water

A 16-year-old has landed himself in hot water after choosing to drive a vehicle without consent, and then getting into an accident with the said vehicle.

Olan Michael Lyscott, an Old Montrose resident, was meek before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, as he, without a lawyer to aid him, proceeded to answer her questions very quietly.

The outlook was grim for the teen, who had, recognizing his guilt to, on Friday, September 13, in Stoney Ground, used motor vehicle P6789 without the consent of the owner, Rohiji Spence, or any other lawful authority.

Additionally, on the same date, in Largo Height, he is said to have driven the vehicle without exercising due care and attention, without being the holder of a driver’s license, and without there being a policy of insurance in force with respect to third party risk.

The owner of the vehicle, Lowman’s Leeward resident Spence, is also the owner of a business called Prime Auto Car Wash which operates in a car park opposite Randy’s Supermarket in Kingstown. Last Friday, he is said to have parked his car in this car park before going to work. At 6 p.m. he left to do some business around town, while leaving his car still parked at the parking lot and with the keys inside of it. At 9:30 p.m., when he was wrapping up his business, he was told by a passerby that his car had been in an accident in Largo Height.

He met the 16-year-old defendant and his vehicle at the scene of the accident, along with traffic officers. Lyscott and the vehicle were both taken into the custody of the police, and later Spence lodged a report against Lyscott.

The following day, in the presence of his mother, the young man was interviewed by the police, and he admitted to the offences.

However, Lyscott did not have anything to say before the magistrate on Monday, who cautioned him that the charges laid against him were serious that carry jail time as possible consequences.
The teen informed that he does go to school, namely, Buccament Bay Secondary School, and

is in form two. When asked if he had attended school last Friday, he said he did, and he mentioned that he usually helps sometimes at the car wash.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delplesche, perhaps trying to ascertain how long the teen has been attending secondary school, asked the defendant if he could remember when he started, but this was answered in the negative.

“Can’t remember…I remember my first day of Primary School,” the prosecutor commented.

Addressing the magistrate, he noted that Lyscott was at a tender age, but his behaviour needed to be nipped in the bud.

However, “Sixteen years old and in form two, something is wrong,” he stated, before stating that a social inquiry report may be necessary.

The magistrate took this suggestion on board, and the 16-year-old will return to court on September 23 for sentencing. Bail in the sum of $5,000 was granted with one surety until this time.

Lyscott was flanked by two adults as he walked out of court with his fate still unanswered.