A FATHER of four was Monday sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by Magistrate Judy Latchman for possession of marijuana.

The charge stated that on June 14, 2018 at 135 King Edward Street, Albouystown, Kevin Clarke had in his possession 184 grammes of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
The 35-year-old, unemployed man pleaded guilty to the charge that was read out to him in the court.

The police prosecutor said on that June 14, 2018 cops from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on information, went to the defendant’s home where a search was carried out in the defendant’s room and the police came across a haversack in a clothes barrel. A big plastic bag with small transparent bags containing stems and leaves which was suspected to be narcotics was found.

At the time of the search the defendant’s step-daughter was at home. When the search was conducted in her presence and the said narcotics were shown to her, the step-daughter told the police that the marijuana belonged to her step-father who was not at home at the time. He was later arrested and in a caution statement admitted that the narcotics belonged to him.

Before sentence was passed, a tearful Clarke told the court that it was his first offence and that he did it to provide for his children after his work contract had expired. He said he was a good father and expressed his deep regret.

After listening to his plea, the magistrate sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment along with a $30,000 fine.