…for trafficking in narcotics

A TWENTY–ONE-YEAR–OLD pregnant woman was yesterday sentenced to 48 months imprisonment by Magistrate Judy Latchman for trafficking narcotics. Shellon Hopkinson of Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara, was found guilty of the offence that said on August 22, at McDoom, she had in her possession 257 grammes of cannabis –sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

On her first court appearance, Police Prosecutor, Joel Ricknauth told the court that on the day in question, acting on information, police conducted a search at the defendant’s home, where they found the illegal substance in a bedroom that the accused and her son occupy.

Hopkinson was represented by attorney –at–law, George Thomas. He told the court that his client is pregnant and lives with her child-father and four other persons in the house.
The lawyer also alleged that his client was handcuffed and brutalised by the police, even though she is pregnant. However, bail was refused on the grounds that no special reason was raised by the defence.

During the trial, two police witnesses were called on behalf of the prosecution to testify in the matter. They were Sergeant Steven and Corporal Lowe.

After Hopkinson was found guilty, she was asked to lead a defence, and she declined to call any witness on her behalf.
Before the ruling in the matter yesterday, the court heard that the woman is a mother of one and is presently four months, two weeks pregnant. She also informed the court that she does not have any prior matters before the court and her husband is currently serving a jail term.
Considering all the mitigating factors, the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the street value of the drug, Magistrate Latchman also fined the convict $385,500.