A 25-year-old clerk had more than a dozen charges recorded in his name yesterday following a car chase that led police through several areas in St Michael on February 18.
The charges began adding up for Christopher Marville St Elmo Went, of 1st Avenue Alkins Land, Eagle Hall, St Michael steming from an incident on Monday night around 11:05 when he allegedly failed to pull over and stop at the sound of the police siren.
Went allegedly failed to comply with a number of stop signs located on 2nd, 3rd and 4th Avenue Alkins Road, 2nd and 3rd Avenue Upper Goodland, as well as Bridge Gap St Michael. He was also charged with driving without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road and driving in a manner dangerous to the public, all while on Black Rock Main Road.
When police caught up with the accused around 11:22 p.m. he was slapped with an additional three charges – driving motor vehicle M9326 without a driver’s licence and insurance as well as failing to register the vehicle with the licensing authority - bringing his total number of traffic-related charges to 14.
Went was not required to enter a plea to the offences when he appeared before Magistrate Douglas Frederick in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court this afternoon as the matters were transferred to the Traffic Court to be heard tomorrow.
His legal troubles do not end there however. He was also charged on February 19 with possession of cannabis as well as possession with intent to supply and trafficking of illicit drugs.
Went entered not guilty pleas to the drug offences.
“Sir, based on the facts . . . the drugs weighed 125 grammes and had an estimated street value of $1,250 and the [prosecution] deems this to be serious. I am also [informed] police had to chase the accused . . . and the court frowns on this behavior,” Police Constable Kevin Forde said in his objection to bail.
However, attorney-at-law Mark Forde said the grounds put forward by the prosecutor were not enough for his client to lose his freedom.
“I don’t see a serious ground . . . [the amount of drugs] is a small amount, not that I am trying to downplay the use of drugs in the society but . . . We are not giving evidence at this time,” said Forde who also revealed that Went was not known to the court and had been gainfully employed for the past five years.
Magistrate Frederick ruled in favour of the defence and granted bail in the sum of $3,000.
Went will reappear in court on July 10 to answer the drug offences.
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