STEFFORN TERROIES, a twenty-eight (28) year old fisherman and construction worker from Sandy Grande in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has been ordered to pay a fine of Twenty Thousand East Caribbean Dollars (EC$20,000.00) forthwith or face a one-year jail term at Her Majesty’s Prison in Kingstown on a charge of having in his possession an unlicensed firearm at Campbell’s Beach in Ashton, Union Island on August 14, 2018.
The sentence was handed down by Chief Magistrate Réchanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018, when he appeared before her to be sentenced.
The Defendant was arrested and charged for the offence by Law Enforcement Officers at Union Island after they acted on a tip-off and went to Campbell’s beach.
It was during such time the Officers saw a fishing boat docked at the beach and approached six (6) occupants of the boat which included the Defendant and requested a search. During the search, the firearm was discovered in a brown box that contained fishing lines which were at the back of the boat.
Following his arrest he was taken to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Ricky Burnette and pleaded guilty to the charge. As a result the matter was adjourned and transferred to the Serious Offences Court for sentencing.
In mitigation, Lawyer representing the Defendant, Ronald Marks, requested of the Court not to impose a custodial sentence. He told the Chief Magistrate that his client is a father of a four-month old baby girl and she is presently seeking medical attention in Trinidad and Tobago, and that he is the sole bread-winner.
His application was upheld by the Court.