Convicted drug dealer collapses after hearing three-year sentence

Upon learning that he was sentenced to three years in jail after he was found guilty of drug trafficking, Keith Tuesday collapsed in what appeared to be a fit in a city court yesterday.

Tuesday, 45, of Lot 1 North Road, was charged in March with being in possession of 2.3 grammes of cocaine at Alexander Street, Georgetown. He had denied the allegation and maintained his innocence throughout his trial.

Lawmen, according to the police, saw Tuesday selling the drug and upon seeing the officers he ran with a plate which contained the cocaine. He was, however, chased by the police, who caught him under a house.

At the conclusion of the trial, Magistrate Judy Latchman said a prima facie case was made out against Tuesday after all the evidence was taken into consideration and she found him guilty as charged.

Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick said that it was clear that Tuesday was dishonest from the time he was arrested and he noted that the man attempted to mislead by giving differing addresses to the court and to the police.

Tuesday had been called upon to lead a defence but while attorney Adrian Thompson requested an adjournment to have another witness brought before the court, it was denied and he was forced to close his case.

Tuesday, in a sworn statement, had said he was buying bottles and scrap iron at an Alexander Street address when police in plain clothes entered the yard and arrested him. He claimed a search of his person only revealed his phone and cash, which the police did not take from him.

Tuesday further disputed the prosecution’s claim that he ran upon sight of the lawmen. He said he was at the back of the yard and did not realise the men were police officers until they arrested him since they were not in uniform.

Magistrate Latchman, in handing down the sentence, noted that Tuesday’s age and the seriousness and prevalence of the offence were taken into consideration. Along with the sentence, the Magistrate ordered Tuesday to pay a $10,000 fine.

When the man was told of the court’s ruling, he instantly fell and began kicking and mumbling as though he suffered an epileptic fit.

The police then guarded him as they awaited his recovery. One of the officers was heard saying, “Is the same thing he de do we when we lock he up.”

A few minutes later, Tuesday was fetched out of the court by the police.