British man sentenced for trying to smugggle ganja

Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

A British man who attempted to smuggle more than 14 pounds of ganja out of the island, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court last Thursday.

Charged with possession of, dealing in, conspiracy to export and taking steps to export ganja is 19-year-old Filipe Smith. He pleaded guilty to the charges.

Allegations are that on the day in question, Smith, attempted to board a flight back to his homeland, was accosted by authorities at the Norman Manley International Airport and was searched. Inside his luggage, officials reportedly saw a quantity of canned ackee products, as well as an assortment of bars of soap. Further inspection of the items revealed that they were tampered with and contained 14 pounds three ounces of ganja. Smith was subsequently arrested and charged.

Smith’s attorney argued that his client was merely a young misguided victim who has suffered a traumatic childhood.

“He has to extend his stay though,” Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey said.

Smith broke down crying as he waited to hear his fate uttering: “In the UK, I’m a victim of child exploitation. I’ve been abused all my life,”

“I’m a simple Jamaican girl, you come from the UK to have a good time and 14 pounds of ganja find you? How come when I’m in England nobody don’t give me drugs to carry to Jamaica?” RM Pusey remarked, seemingly unmoved. “You come from England and a come from Jamaica and a carry back Irish Spring soap? People come here and think that it is love and joy with the hand cart boy!”

Smith was fined of $15,000 or six months for possession; $45,400 or six months for dealing; $113,500 or six months for taking steps to export ganja and sentenced to 18 months. A fingerprint order was also made.

View the original article here

British man sentenced for trying to smugggle ganja

Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend charged

A Police Constable accused of  trying to kill his girlfriend, has been charged.

Constable Andrew Thomas was charged on Wednesday with attempted murder and rape.He’s booked to appear before the Spanish Town Criminal Court on Friday..

The policeman, who is attached to the St. Thomas Police Division, was taken into custody two weeks ago following allegations that he tried to kill his girlfriend in St Catherine.

It’s reported that the Constable invited his girlfriend on a date.

He allegedly took her to a secluded area in St. Catherine and proceeded to beat her. During the assault, it’s alleged that he also set fire to her dress as she begged for her life.

The Constable ended the assault and took her home.

She reported the incident the following day and the Constable was taken into custody.

It’s alleged that he also raped a relative of  the girlfriend, while she was at the police station filing a complaint against him.

View the original article here

Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend charged

DPP rules that Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend be charged

The Director of  Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ruled that charges be laid against a Constable, who is accused of  trying to kill his girlfriend.

A senior investigator told RJR News that the policeman will be charged on Wednesday and taken before the Spanish Town Criminal Court.

He’s facing charges of  attempted murder, wounding, assault and rape.    

The policeman, who is attached to the St. Thomas Police Division, was recently taken into custody following allegations that he tried to kill his girlfriend . It’s reported that the Constable invited his girlfriend on a date.

He allegedly took her to a secluded area in the central parish of St. Catherine and proceeded to beat her.

During the assault, it’s alleged that he also set fire to her dress as she begged for her life. Constable ended the assault and took her home.

She reported the incident the following day and the Constable was taken into custody.

View the original article here

DPP rules that Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend be charged

Arizona woman accused of trying to poison children

Latest News

Monday, December 30, 2013 | 9:20 AM

CASA GRANDE, Arizona (AP) — An Arizona woman is accused of trying to poison her four children, including one who died, and of stabbing her former husband, all on Christmas.Casa Grande police say 35-year-old Connie Villa was arrested Sunday on suspicion of one count of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder.According to police, the ex-husband called 911 after he was stabbed when he went to Villa’s residence. Officers found the body of 13-year-old Aniarael Macias, while Villa had stab wounds believed to have been self-inflicted.Autopsy and toxicology results are pending on the girl, believed to have been poisoned.The three other children are in good condition and are now with their father’s family. It’s not immediately known whether Villa has an attorney. A possible motive hasn’t been disclosed.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Arizona woman accused of trying to poison children

Arizona woman accused of trying to poison children

News

Monday, December 30, 2013 | 9:20 AM

CASA GRANDE, Arizona (AP) — An Arizona woman is accused of trying to poison her four children, including one who died, and of stabbing her former husband, all on Christmas.Casa Grande police say 35-year-old Connie Villa was arrested Sunday on suspicion of one count of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder.According to police, the ex-husband called 911 after he was stabbed when he went to Villa’s residence. Officers found the body of 13-year-old Aniarael Macias, while Villa had stab wounds believed to have been self-inflicted.Autopsy and toxicology results are pending on the girl, believed to have been poisoned.The three other children are in good condition and are now with their father’s family. It’s not immediately known whether Villa has an attorney. A possible motive hasn’t been disclosed.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Arizona woman accused of trying to poison children

How needed development will displace a trying farmer

News

Karyl WalkerMonday, July 08, 2013

RAY James is a worried man, a sad man, a desperate man.After operating a small farm for 27 years in the impoverished and oftentimes volatile community of March Pen Road off the Spanish Town Bypass in St Catherine, he is to be displaced by a new housing development which will encompass the small space he works on.“It dread. Them tell me to move mi farm because the development coming,” James told the Jamaica Observer.The March Pen Road area is known as a haven for the infamous Klansman gang, which rules with terror in many communities in and on the outskirts of the old capital.A drive through the community revealed that unemployment is high. Many young men and women were seen walking about with apparently little to do, even though some road work was being carried out on the main road in the area.The lure of crime might be tempting, even if dangerous, but for James his love of farming has kept him on the straight and narrow for most of his 56 years.On the little plot that stretches about 100 metres long and 10 metres wide, James cultivates callaloo, okras, tomatoes, hot peppers, and pak choi which he sells to members of the community.In addition, he tends to coconut and soursop trees.“I use this to feed my family of five. My big daughter has just graduated, but two of my other children are still in school,” he said.But James’ source of income might be threatened when developers bring in their heavy equipment to begin construction on the Bernard Lodge Housing project for which ground will be broken on July 16.“A lot of us are glad for the development as we might be able to get some work. Many of the youths have no job, and when they have work that will keep them out of trouble, and give the police less work,” he acknowledged.The project, which is reportedly near oversubscription, is being developed by the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited (HAJ) while the contractors will be Malphrus International, IBC.It will see 1,584 units — 980 studios going for $4 million each, and 604 one-bedroom houses which will be valued at $4.9 million — being built. Construction is slated to begin in August.Ray James tends to his callaloo plot in March Pen Road. (PHOTO: KARL MCLARTY)

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by Other Stories

‘Christians, be not afraid, be not angry, just let your light shine’

Not by chance is Ja first destination for Air Canada rouge flight

Buggery law: Government will bow

We’ll operate without insurance, says JATOO

Those dirty old men still going after young girls for sex

No, Mr DJ, wheel and come again!

How needed development will displace a trying farmer

T’was another wonderful Caribbean party in China!

Jamaica doggedly pursues free movement of labour in Caricom

Don’t let McCam Childcare Centre go under!

Gay material now expunged from school curriculum, says Thwaites

Seek help for stress, Ellington urges members after suspected suicide

Rouge for Ian Fleming?

Man’s love spurned, allegedly torched house with family of five

Verona Johnson a model employee

Jamaal Henry — Port Maria Primary’s top achiever

Mystic Mountain celebrates five years

It’s not easy drafting bills, Golding tells Tufton

Shauna Vernon’s passion for farming

Cricket to the rescue!

View the original article here

How needed development will displace a trying farmer