Caribbean Times 90th issue - Friday 15th April 2016

4 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Friday 15th April 2016
Francis convicted and fined for drug possession
Alecia Mc Pherson
Shane Justin Francis was convicted
and fined $700 after pleading
guilty to a charge of drug possession
when he appeared at the St. John’s
Magistrates Court yesterday.
Francis was charged of unlawful
possession of controlled drug cannabis
and possession with intent to sell
after officers found cannabis on his
person.
On April 12, 2016 during the
morning, Officers from the Grays
Farm Police Station executed a
search at the defendant’s Green Bay
Hill premises.
Nothing was found in the home but
during the search of the defendant’s
person twenty-two small zip locked
bags containing cannabis were found
Alecia McPherson
Tyron Peter Astaphan of
Belmont Estate appeared at
the St. John’s Magistrates
Court having being charged
Alecia Mc Pherson
Peter Gray age 52, of Whenner Road
facing a charge of rape, appeared at the
St. John’s Magistrates Court yesterday.
The charge was read that Gray had
non-consensual sexual intercourse with
Monique Atley between July 1 and 31,
2103.
Copies of the medical report of the
complainant along with an accused statement
were submitted into evidence.
in his right pants pocket.
Officers also found a quantity of
monies in his left pants pocket which
he stated a friend gave him that morning
to keep.
The monies along with the defendant
were taken into custody.
The substance weighed 10.6
grams with an estimated street value
of $200EC and the monies amounted
to $1,695 EC and $4.00USD.
In court, the Francis pleaded guilty
to unlawful possession and not guilty
to possession with intent to sell.
His lawyer asked that his client
be spared sentencing and a fine be
imposed instead, he further told the
court that Francis is a first time offender,
also that he’s only 27 years
old and a father of one.
of malicious damage and
battery.
It is reported that Astaphan’s
wife Xyomara Astaphan
alleges that the accused
caused damages to
personal items in the amount
of $1,320, and allegations
of battery she suffered at the
hands of the accused, hence
The accused was not required to plead
to the charge and was committed to stand
trial the September’s assizes in the High
Court.
Reports are that the two worked together
as Security Guards, during one of
their work shifts at a construction site in
Crosbies Atley was forced into sexual act
by the accused.
A report was made to the Police and
Gray given the said charge.
However the prosecutor pulled
previous records of Francis showing
that he indeed has had two previous
possession offences.
In March of 2013 he was convicted
of cannabis possession and was
fined $2,000.
In September of 2013 he was convicted
of cannabis possession again
and fined $1,000.
However, the lawyer’s pleas were
taken into consideration and the
charge of intent to sell was dismissed
against him.
He was ordered to pay the fine
forthwith or be sentenced to six
months in prison.
The monies were confiscated and
an order was given for the substance
be destroyed.
Man charged for malicious damages
and battery against spouse
Man facing rape charge to
stand trial at High Court
the said charges.
These offences reportedly
took place on April 09,
2016.
The circumstances under
which these charges arise
are yet to be known as the
details of the matter has not
yet been heard in court.
The charges were read
to the accused, he pleaded
guilty to battery and not
guilty to malicious damages.
Committal proceedings
into the matter were set for
July 5, 2016.
The court heard that the
accused has moved from the
home so as to preserve the
peace at this time.
The accused was granted
station bail in this matter.