Accused gets bail after mom’s tears

ANA-LISSA JACK

A man who appeared before a Port of Spain Magistrate yesterday charged with possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition was scolded for having his mother weeping in court.

Anthony Martin, 23, of Carenage stood before Magistrate Andre Darmanie charged with possession of a pistol and four rounds of ammunition.

He was charged by Cpl Ramdeo.

The charges were read aloud by Magistrate Darmanie and Martin pleaded guilty. His mother, father, cousin and a neighbour were present at the hearing. Martin’s attorney pleaded with the court to grant the accused a non-custodial sentence as this was his first offence and he is very remorseful for his actions. The attorney said, “Prison will do nothing for my client’s rehabilitation and he is also helping his family out financially.” Magistrate Darmanie adjourned the case to next Monday for sentencing and remanded Martin into custody for the weekend. On hearing that her son was being taken to prison, Martin’s mother Helen began crying, causing the magistrate to tell the court police to bring back Martin who was being led out of the courtroom.

Darmanie scolded the young accused for bringing such grief to his mother. “Your mother was in here crying for you. How do you feel about that,” a stern Darmanie asked. “You realise that your mother is ready to fall down in the court right now?” Darmanie called Martin’s mother to the stand and explained to her that he would grant her son surety bail in the sum of $100,000.

The magistrate warned the woman that if her son did not reappear in court on Monday, he would face the full brunt of the court. The woman thanked the magistrate and assured her son would be present in court. Another man, who was jointly charged with Martin, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail and the case adjourned.