A 46-year-old confectionary vendor yesterday received a sentence of community service and a fine of $10,000 after pleading guilty but offered an explanation to the charge of possession of narcotics when it was read to her by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on March 24 at Georgetown, Paulette Emmanuel of 2567 North Ruimveldt had in her possession four grams of cannabis.
“Ah does use it fuh meh head my Worship, de doctor tell meh must leh a use it cause it good fuh meh head wah ad does trouble with.” This was the defence put forward by Emmanuel when the Acting Chief Magistrate asked her what she was doing with the illegal substance in her possession.
When asked the name of the doctor who had recommended the use of cannabis, the defendant quietly replied, “I can’t remember my Worship.” When the magistrate enquired from the defendant as to whether the cannabis helped with her head pains, she promptly responded, “Yeh meh Worship, it does help meh a lot.”
The Acting Chief Magistrate then told Emmanuel that “the doctor cannot recommend an illegal drug.”
According to the accused, about four years ago she was involved in a vehicular accident and had sustained head injuries which still affect her from time to time and as a result she uses cannabis as it helps to ease the pains whenever they come on.
Emmanuel was sentenced to three weeks community service and fined $10,000.
