CHIEF Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday fined a man $40,000 for the possession of a knife, resisting arrest and disorderly behaviour. Levi Williams admitted that on June at Stabroek Wharf, Georgetown, he was in possession of one black bayonet, without reasonable explanation.
He also confessed that he resisted arrest by Constable Devon Layne, a city constable acting in the execution of his duty.
The unrepresented man also pleaded guilty to the charge that said on the same day at Stabroek Wharf, he behaved in a disorderly manner.
The prosecution stated that on the day in question, the constables were observing him for some time, since he was acting suspiciously. They approached him but he hurried to the back of the wharf as the constables rushed behind him. He was apprehended and a search was carried out on his person when the knife was found on him.
According to Williams, he was given the knife by a miner to sharpen it. He further told the court that the constables did not identify themselves, so he thought he was being abducted and as such he tried to resist them. He further stated that he never tried to escape and if he did, he would have dived into the river.
He was fined $20,000 on the disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest charges and for possession of a dangerous weapon he was also fined $20,000.
After answering to three charges, the Chief Magistrate told Williams that in default of paying the fines he will have to spend two weeks in jail.